Hull City have been handed a major boost after Saturday’s huge win over Manchester United, as they look to maintain their unbeaten start to the new season.
The Tigers saw goalscorers Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy both leave the pitch just after the hour mark with injury worries, but the pair have come through without any concerns and are set to be in the squad at Coventry City this weekend.
Neither are likely to be risked in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night when the Tigers go to Stoke City looking to make the third round for the first time in six years, with boss Sergej Jakirovic keen to give minutes to other members of his squad.
Mendy had complained of an abductor issue while Ajayi had stiffness in his hamstring, but have since reported back without any issues. Skipper Lewie Coyle will be assessed ahead of the trip to the Potteries. It had been suggested that Coyle damaged his calf in the second half, but he has been nursing an ankle problem in recent weeks.
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For the first time since he arrived in the summer, Hidemasa Morita is set to be involved in a matchday squad and is expected to get a run-out at the bet365 Stadium.
There’s also good news surrounding Joe Gelhardt, who is making good progress as he recovers from an ankle injury sustained prior to his move from Leeds United, and could be available for next Saturday’s home meeting with Aston Villa at the MKM Stadium.
City will likely make a host of changes to their squad for the game, which sees them go in search of a fourth consecutive win in the Potteries.
“The squad’s going to be very, very important to us, as you’ll see tomorrow night, we’ll make some changes. It’s a game we want to win tomorrow, but equally, we do need to get players up to speed,” assistant head coach Dean Holden said.
“A few of the players that have come in were not quite ready yet for the first game, so we’ll try and get some minutes into them, hopefully the lads that came off will be OK. The first signs were that it was mainly fatigue, a little bit of cramp, certainly in the two centre backs (Ajayi and Mendy) and Gilo (Ryan Giles) as well.
“Lewie Coyle’s got a bit of a a niggling ankle issue which has been ongoing throughout pre-season, but as he always does, he puts himself up there for selection, and we’ll just have to see how he is. Other than that, we think we’re OK.”
While many newly-promoted clubs see the early rounds of the League Cup as an unwelcome distraction from the Premier League, City see it as a chance to give valuable minutes to their new signings, while Holden is keen to keep up the winning feeling.
“Yeah, absolutely (the cup is important),” he continued. “Let’s not beat around the bush, staying in the Premier League’s the biggest challenge for us this season, and we’ll be the number one priority.
“I don’t think anybody would be surprised to hear me say that. At the same time, this is the next game, and it’s vitally, vitally important that we get these players up to speed because you’re seeing at the weekend, 60 minutes, 55, 70 minutes, you’re gonna need three, four or five additions to come and replenish the energy levels. Without this game, I think it would have been a challenge for us going into the Coventry game at the weekend, so the timing of it’s fantastic for us.”
City have been the talk of world football since that stunning win over United, which sees them sitting pretty inside the top six after the opening weekend. As impressive and deserved as that win was, Holden says nothing is being taken for granted.
“Sergej, the staff and the players are just a humble group who’ll get on with it,” Holden added. “We won’t start thinking we’ve cracked anything because we beat Man United in the first game. Great for confidence, and we roll onto Stoke now, simple as that. We’re not even thinking about Coventry; we roll onto Stoke and try to win the next game.
“We want to create a winning mentality in the club, and what better way to do that than on the back of such a great result at the weekend. You’ll know Sergej, he wants to win everything he takes part in, so that won’t change, but equally, as I’ve just said there, it is very, very important to us that we get players up to speed for the Premier League cos these games are gonna come thick and fast before this first international break. We’ll use it in the best way possible, and we’ll go and try and get the win.”
Morita was one of City’s high-profile signings during pre-season, though he arrived with a calf injury, which has seen him gradually return to training over the past week or so and is scheduled to get a run-out.
“Morita, or Rita, as he wants to be called – his nickname – it was very frustrating for him coming in, and with an injury, it’s never ideal because you want to get straight involved in the group and show people what you’re about, but he’s worked very, very hard. He’s a great pro, never out of the gym, and he’s got himself into a position now where he’s going to train with the group, and he’ll get some minutes.”
There were some colourful scenes at the end of City’s win at Stoke back in late November, with both clubs fined for their part in some post-match shenanigans following Joe Gelhardt’s late winner. For Holden, it’s another chance to go back to a club he holds in high regard, having spent a short spell as caretaker boss there four years ago.
“Yeah, it was (a tasty affair),” he said with a wry grin. “There was a little bit of afters weren’t there, following the final whistle, but it’s a great football club, I loved my time there. Brilliant family, the Coates (Stoke’s owners) family, incredible, the way they run that football club, so, looking forward to it. So many friendly faces when you go back to a club like that, which I’m looking forward to seeing, but hopefully we’ll go and get another good result.”
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