The Tigers look set to welcome a defender back to training this week
Paddy McNair of Hull City is challenged by Robert Bozenik of Stoke City(Image: Getty)
Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic has confirmed that Nobel Mendy’s withdrawal was planned on Tuesday night.
Mendy was named in the starting line up at Sunderland in the third round of the Carabao Cup and played well alongside Lucas Herrington in the heart of City’s defence.
However, for the fourth time this season Mendy was subbed off, the Senegal international leaving the action at half-time.
Jakirovic allayed any injury fears by confirming the switch was planned, while he also gave an update on Paddy McNair, who has been struggling with a foot issue.
McNair wasn’t involved against Aston Villa or Sunderland through injury, but he has been given the thumbs up from a specialist to return to training later this week.
“It was planned,” Jakirovic said on Mendy. “We didn’t have Paddy McNair today, but he is good after going for a scan today.
“He went to a specialist about his metatarsal bone, there is some issues. But everything is fine so he will join us on Thursday again.”
There were some concerns about John Egan in the second half, too, with the centre-back colliding with a Sunderland man in a challenge and appearing to pick up a lower leg issue.
He made it to the end of the game but he never looked entirely comfortable and the head coach has confirmed that he will be checked on today.
“Yeah, he had a blast with an opponent player and I think everything is good there but we will see,” Jakirovic added.