Yet more injury woe for the depleted Tigers, who are winless in their last three games
Hull City’s Yu Hirakawa leaves the pitch against QPR(Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)
Hull City have been rocked by yet another injury blow in a season that continues to suffer a constant stream of players being sidelined with a variety of problems.
Loanee Yu Hirakawa is the latest to fall victim to the MKM Stadium injury curse, limping off in the second half of City’s 3-1 home defeat to QPR with an ankle issue.
The Japan international, who carved out the equaliser for Joe Gelhardt just before half-time with a thrilling run and cross, left the ground with a protective boot on his foot amid fears he had twisted his ankle.
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Hirakawa, on loan from Bristol City, will be scanned in the next 24 hours to determine the extent of the problem, but the prognosis could see him ruled out for a significant amount of time, should it be a bad twist.
City will hope it’s not too serious, and that he can return in the coming days, but he’s almost certain to be ruled out of Tuesday night’s huge home meeting with play-off rivals Derby County, as the Tigers look to end a run of three straight home league games without victory, including successive defeats.
While Hirakawa looks set to miss the visit of the Rams, Charlie Hughes is set to return to the fold. Though he was named on the bench against Rangers, the defender wasn’t risked as the club’s medical staff monitors his ongoing groin injury, which will likely need surgery at the end of the campaign.
Matt Crooks is edging closer to a return but is not likely to be involved against the East Midlands outfit, and the game will come too soon for the returning Semi Ajayi. Both could feature at Portsmouth on Saturday.
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