The 24-year-old is back at City and firmly in the first team picture once again
Matty Jacob in action against Watford(Image: Zach Forster/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Matty Jacob says he’s relishing the battle with Ryan Giles, after seeing his Hull City career reignited in the past few weeks following a disappointing spell at Reading.
The left-back started his first City game in 12 months on Tuesday night against Watford, having made three appearances off the bench last month, and delivered a solid showing in the 0-0 draw.
Akin Famewo had been deputising at left-back in Giles’ absence, but he’s since picked up a knee issue, which has been causing him an ongoing problem, further opening the door for Barnsley-born Jacob.
LISTEN: Dean Holden and Ivor Pandur preview the weekend visit of Bristol City
Jacob had played 16 times for the Royals in League One before a knee injury saw his spell at the SCL Stadium ended before Christmas, and he returned to the fold.
Now Giles is back fit following an injury of his own, it’s likely he will return to the starting XI against Bristol City on Saturday after returning in midweek.
For Jacob, being fit again and being back around the first team at City is an unexpected boost, given he had expected to finish the season in Royal Berkshire, prior to his injury setback.
“I’ve played a lot of games, probably the most at Reading. It’s probably the most games I’ve played in such a short period,” he told Hull Live.
“In terms of starting games, I know it’s been a while since I’ve actually played for them (Reading) with the injury, but it felt good. I played three off the bench, so I feel like that’s been a nice sort of teaser into playing again. I felt good.
“Who knows, it does work in mysterious ways, doesn’t it, life, I don’t know,” he added when asked if staying at Reading was likely had he not picked up the injury.
Since returning, Jacob says the conversations he’s had with Jakirovic have centred around him providing competition for Giles, who had been in sterling form prior to suffering a hamstring injury early on in the win at Middlesbrough after Christmas.
“When I was just getting back fit, Ryan got injured, so that was a sort of stroke of luck on my part,” Jacob confessed. “Obviously not good for him, but it gave me the opportunity to get back in the squad and build up my minutes, which is exactly what I needed.
“Just pure competition for Gilesy. There’s no debate in how well he’s done this season. He’s back fit now, so we’ll see how that works, but it’s just healthy competition, which we need in every position.
City continue their run of home games against a Bristol City side that was thumped 5-0 at home last Friday night, but for the Tigers, it presents another major opportunity towards securing their place in the promotion race.
“Yes, it’s massive. We won’t underestimate them. There’s confidence there with the lads, and we go into any game now and try and win it, so hopefully we do.”
And though the defender enjoyed his short period in League One with Reading, being back in East Yorkshire amongst family and friends puts an extra spring in his step: “(I’m) back home, family, and playing for the club I support, so you can’t complain.”
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