Ruben Selles has labelled Joe Gelhardt as an exceptional performer as the striker prepares to say his goodbyes to his Hull City teammates at the end of a successful loan spell.
Gelhardt arrived at City from Yorkshire rivals Leeds United in January and scored five goals to help propel the Tigers to safety on the final day of the season at Portsmouth last Saturday, playing in every single game following his loan move.
The 23-year-old Liverpudlian became an instant hit in both the Tigers’ dressing room and on the terraces with his energetic, all-action displays, coupled with some crucial goals. He finished the campaign as joint-second top scorer, along with Abu Kamara, behind Joao Pedro’s six.
Gelhardt will now return to Elland Road for discussions over what the future looks like following their Championship title win at the weekend and promotion to the Premier League with a year still to run on his existing deal.
City want Gelhardt back at the MKM Stadium next season, though it’s expected any such move would only be a loan owing to Leeds’ financial demands for a permanent deal. And given Gelhardt’s form in East Yorkshire, there’s likely to be plenty of potential suitors for his signature, if he is to leave the Premier League newboys this summer.
“I’m not going to go too much on it because everything can happen,” Selles told Hull Live when asked about bringing the forward back. “I just think that it has been a pleasure for us to have Joe. His way to work has been exceptional.
“His qualities and abilities are exactly what you expect from a player, but also from a person in our environment. I will be happy if he can stay with us for another season, but there are a lot of things that need to be discussed, not only my intention.”