The defender’s last start came on Good Friday at the Kassam Stadium
Charlie Hughes is pushing for a return to the starting on the final day(Image: Tony King/Getty Images))
Charlie Hughes has declared himself fit and ready to play if called upon on Saturday, when Hull City face their pivotal home meeting with Norwich City.
Hughes hasn’t played since coming off the bench in the final stages of City’s 2-1 defeat at Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United earlier this month, with the talented defender managing a hernia issue which will likely require surgery when the season ends.
Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic has opted to keep faith with Semi Ajayi and John Egan as his central defensive duo, but Hughes is desperate to return this weekend in the hope of playing his part in helping City clinch their play-off place.
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“For me, I’m always ready,” he told Hull Live. “I’m ready, if called upon. Yeah, I think so, most likely,” he added when asked if he’d need surgery.
“I think it’d be stupid for any player to say that they wouldn’t want to be involved, and for a player to sit on the bench wouldn’t be happy. No player is happy to sit on the bench, but listen, that is the togetherness that we’ve had because players have been on the bench that maybe thought they shouldn’t have been.
“They’ve not let it get into their heads. They’ve been behind everyone, and then they’ve come on as a sub, and played well, or they’ve come on assisted and been involved in the goals. That is just the togetherness that we’ve got, nobody’s selfish in this team, so it’s a real good bond.”
Hughes gave away a costly penalty at Oxford United on Good Friday, in his first game back after being sent off in the first half at West Brom with the visitors 1-0 down, before City went on to lose 3-0.
The talented defender admits those moments have been tough, with the 22-year-old feeling like he had let everybody down, but says he’s been able to bounce back.
“One hundred per cent (mistakes will happen,” he continued. “I’m a defender at the end of the day. I’m gonna get yellow and red cards. I’m gonna give away penalties or give away goals. That is football. We’re all human beings.
“They were obviously tough ones to take, cos I felt like I let the team down and let the boys down and let the fans down, but no, we bounce back from them. We’ve got the chance to put things right on Saturday and secure the play-offs.”
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