City head to The Valley knowing victory is a must in South London
Could Regan Slater come back into Hull City’s starting line-up?(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic admits he may have to take more risks on Saturday when he takes his side to Charlton Athletic, knowing victory is a must.
City have gone five games without a victory and were held to a 2-2 draw by Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, which saw them fall out of the top six for the first time in four months.
Jakirovic brought back Ryan Giles into the starting line-up for the first time since he returned from his second hamstring setback of the season, while Regan Slater played the final 20 minutes after a four-game absence with an ankle injury.
The Croatian is also considering how to involve Eliot Matazo, but the Belgian hasn’t played in 14 months since rupturing his knee ligaments at Cardiff back in February 2025.
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Another change could come out wide with Jakirovic keen to be careful with Mo Belloumi. The Algerian winger has been passed fit after coming off at the break on Tuesday night with concerns over his hamstring.
Should Belloumi start on the bench, that could see a recall to the starting line-up for Kyle Joseph, or a first start since coming back from injury for Yu Hirakawa.
Another option would be to move Matt Crooks further forward into the number 10 role where it feels he’s more effective, and bring back Slater into the heart of midfield, and push Joe Gelhardt back out wide. John Lundstram impressed in midweek and will likely keep his place at The Valley, allowing Slater to partner him in the engine room.
Charlie Hughes is also pushing for a return to the starting line-up, having not started a game since the 1-1 draw at Oxford United on Good Friday, when he was withdrawn at half-time. Since that outing when he conceded a penalty, the talented defender has played just three minutes, all off the bench in the defeat at Sheffield United.
City’s predicted XI: Pandur, Giles, Egan, Ajayi, Coyle, Slater, Lundstram, Millar, Crooks, Gelhardt, McBurnie.
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