Hull City entertain Gary Rowett’s U’s looking for a first win of the season
Sergej Jakirovic faces a number of tough decisions on Sunday when he takes charge of his first home Championship outing as Hull City head coach against Oxford United.
The Bosnian made six changes to his starting XI at Wrexham in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday from the team that drew 0-0 in the season opener against Coventry City.
One of those was enforced with Semi Ajayi unavailable owing to a hamstring injury that will keep him sidelined for the next four to six weeks, so John Egan got the nod to partner Charlie Hughes in North Wales, and that’s likely to be the case again.
Cody Drameh and Ryan Giles will continue on either side of the back four in front of Ivor Pandur with him returning to the goal after Dillon Phillips played in midweek.
Further up the pitch is where the biggest questions lie for Jakirovic. Oli McBurnie was given his first start and capped a fine display with a goal, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be able to start on Sunday or whether Kyle Joseph returns.
Joe Gelhardt started off on the right side with Abu Kamara later coming off the bench and scoring his penalty in the shoot-out. However, Kamara is nearing a move to Getafe so he may not be involved.
Nathan Tinsdale has a knee problem, which will keep him out. It’s unclear at this stage whether David Akintola was registered in time to play, and the same with Brandon Williams. Enis Destan is expected back in full training next week so he won’t be considered for this game. Lewie Coyle remains out.
Joel Ndala was in the starting XI against Coventry and was rested against Wrexham, though he delivered an electric display when he did join the action and scored the Tigers’ second goal when he turned in Gelhardt’s cross.
Given the situation surrounding Kamara, Jakirovic could be forced to stick with Gelhardt wide right with Ndala playing on the left behind whoever the striker is. The smart money would surely be on McBurnie as long as he’s recovered from Tuesday night’s fatigue.
City’s starting XI: Pandur, Giles, Hughes, Egan, Drameh, Lundstram, Slater, Ndala, Crooks, Gelhardt, McBurnie.
Have your say on what the starting XI should be below…