After the euphoria of Hull City’s stunning 2-0 win over Manchester United on Saturday, attention turns to the second round of the Carabao Cup.
The Tigers head to Championship side Stoke City looking to make it into round three for the first time since their League One title-winning campaign back in 2020.
Boss Sergej Jakirovic will travel to the Potteries with a flurry of injuries, and it’s likely he will make a host of changes to the side that performed so well against United, especially with that huge trip to Coventry City to come at the CBS Arena this weekend.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest Hull City news and analysis on our Hull Live FB page
Already without Charlie Hughes, Joe Gelhardt, and Oscar Zambrano, City lost goalscorers Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy to injury just after the hour mark, before Lewie Coyle was forced off shortly after. Mendy and Ajayi are thought to be fine, though it’s unlikely they’ll be risked.
A host of new signings will likely start at the bet365 Stadium, but City‘s lack of squad depth up front has been acutely apparent in recent weeks, which means Tyrell Sellars-Fleming could be handed a rare start in attack with Jakirovic likely to rest Oli McBurnie. Jakirovic could also deploy Liam Millar or David Akintola as a make-shift forward. Matt Crooks could even play as a forward with support playing off him.
Given the injury to Jack Butland, Dillon Phillips could be handed a start in goal, with Matt Targett and Cody Drameh deployed on the left and right sides of defence, respectively. Paddy McNair and Lucas Herrington may well get the nod in the centre of defence if Jakirovic reverts to a back four.
New signing Lucas Gourna-Douath will likely be handed a full debut in the middle of the park, where Jens Hjerto-Dahl and Kieran Dowell could also be given starts. After a positive cameo off the bench on Saturday, Canadian winger Liam Millar is expected to start in Stoke in some capacity.
Jakirovic will also hope summer signing Hidemasa Morita is fit enough to get some minutes off the bench against Mark Robins, as he looks to get his first taste of action in English football.
City’s predicted starting XI to face Stoke City: Phillips; Targett, Herrington, McNair, Drameh, Gourna-Douath, Hjerto-Dahl, Dowell, Millar, Sellars-Fleming, Omur.
Pick your starting XI using the slider below…
Here at Hull Live, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Hull City coverage and analysis. Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest City news by joining our free WhatsApp group.
You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe. You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.