The Tigers still have plenty of injury concerns
Ryan Giles limped out of the win over Derby County in late February(Image: Tony King/Getty Images)
Hull City hope to welcome back Ryan Giles, Matty Jacob and Darko Gyabi early next month in what would be a timely boost ahead of the crucial Easter weekend.
City have just seven games left to either mount a challenge for the top two, or secure a play-off place and play two of those games when they return after the international break, starting with Good Friday’s trip to Oxford United, followed by an Easter Monday visit of leaders Coventry City to the MKM Stadium in front of the television cameras.
Giles has been sidelined with a hamstring problem since limping out of the win over Derby County almost a month ago, while Jacob’s last outing came in the home defeat to Bristol City at the beginning of February, having picked up a knee injury.
Midfielder Gyabi, who has scored in away wins at Norwich City and Middlesbrough this season, hasn’t played since he was forced off in the New Year’s Day loss at home to Stoke City.
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It had been expected that Gyabi could miss the rest of the season with that groin issue, but his imminent comeback is particularly timely given the setback suffered by Eliot Matazo, and the ankle injury sustained by Regan Slater, which saw him forced off early on in Saturday’s 3-1 win over bottom side Sheffield Wednesday.
Giles and Jacob’s absences have been particularly keenly felt, with Akin Famewo also picking up an injury, leaving boss Sergej Jakirovic to operate without a recognised left-back in the past few games. Liam Millar has filled in there, while Paddy McNair delivered a solid display in that role on Saturday.
Before suffering his first hamstring issue at Middlesbrough after Christmas, Giles had been in his best form since arriving at the MKM Stadium with eight assists, and Jakirovic will hope he can rekindle that when he returns for the business end of the campaign.
Skipper Lewie Coyle was on the bench against the Owls, but was rested and is set to be available for selection when the Tigers go to the Kassam Stadium on Friday week.
Charlie Hughes will also be available for that trip, after serving his one-match ban at the weekend for his sending off in the defeat at West Brom seven days earlier. Yu Hirakawa and Famewo remain sidelined, along with Matazo and Slater.
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