The Tigers take on the side directly below them in the Championship play-offs
Sergej Jakirovic has much to ponder once again (Image: Tony King/Getty Images)
Sergej Jakirovic will once again be forced to consider injuries when he takes his Hull City squad to Preston North End on Tuesday night, looking to make it three away wins on the spin.
Saturday’s impressive 2-1 win at Southampton came at a cost with Akin Famewo, Lewie Coyle and Kyle Joseph all collecting knocks, and all three are doubts going into the clash with sixth-placed North End at Deepdale.
City will still be without Semi Ajayi, Ryan Giles, Darko Gyabi, Mo Belloumi, Eliot Matazo and Enis Destan in Lancashire, but there’s better news with the expected return of Joe Gelhardt after a six-week absence with a calf problem.
Jakirovic’s squad was boosted at the weekend with the return of John Lundstram, while Matt Crooks was passed fit to play after missing out on the FA Cup win over Blackburn Rovers, and both are expected to be fit to face the Lillywhites.
It may be too early for Lundstram to be considered for a first start since the end of September, especially with a busy schedule to come, and Jakirovic will hope Crooks can go again on what will be a difficult Deepdale playing surface.
New arrival Yu Hirakawa is also set to make his debut, and while he only signed on Monday, given he’s been playing regularly for Bristol City and could be handed a start with Joseph a major doubt and Gelhardt only recently back in training. Toby Collyer’s move from Manchester United has not been completed, though he is likely to be at Deepdale to watch his new team in action.
Jamaican international Kasey Palmer is not expected to be involved in the squad as he wraps up a loan move to League One play-off chasers Luton Town.
Elsewhere, if Famewo isn’t fit enough to start, his place could be taken by Cathal McCarthy, who impressed in the second half at St Mary’s after replacing the ex-Sheffield Wednesday man, or Matty Jacob.
Like McCarthy, Jacob delivered a handy cameo in the closing stages of Saturday’s success on the South Coast and provides a natural balance from the left back position.
City’s predicted XI: Pandur, Jacob, Egan, Hughes, Coyle, Slater, Amir, Millar, Crooks, Hirakawa, McBurnie.
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