The Tigers continue to be hampered by injury issues in the early weeks of the season
Liam Millar will step up his return from injury on Tuesday afternoon when Hull City‘s Under-21s face Fleetwood Town in the Professional Development League.
It had been hoped Millar would feature in the squad that beat Southampton 3-1 on Saturday afternoon but he is now expected to feature for Conor Sellars’ side as they look to bounce back after Tuesday’s loss at home to Charlton Athletic.
Provided Millar, who has been sidelined since last October with a serious knee injury, comes through that game without any adverse impact, he could be in the City squad at Watford on Saturday.
City boss Sergej Jakirovic will also make a decision on Semi Ajayi and Matt Crooks later in the week before deciding whether to involve them at Vicarage Road, though it’s more likely they’ll feature in the games against Preston North End or Sheffield United prior to the international break.
Ajayi has been sidelined with a hamstring problem since the opening day draw at Coventry City, while Crooks has been nursing an ankle injury since the home victory over Oxford United, and the Tigers’ medical staff are proceeding with caution.
“Liam is good,” Jakirovic told Hull Live. “He trained with us for almost the last 10 days, 12 days. The plan is that on Tuesday, he will go with the Under-21s and play 45 minutes. Then, if everything’s okay, he will join us for the next game against Watford.”
Brandon Williams, who suffered a concussion in training before the trip to Swansea City, is expected to be in the travelling squad to take on the Hornets.
“He (Williams) needed a little bit more time still. We have Cody (Drameh) as well; he can play both sides. We decided to put Cody [on the bench].”
“I don’t know – maybe. 70, 80 per cent [chance]. Our doctors are very careful. They don’t want to push anybody. If you’re asking me, they will be ready. I’m fighting all the time with them,” he added on Ajayi and Crooks.
“Crooksy and Semi, yes of course (a big boost to have back). But it’s five, six or seven weeks, so they will need time. We will see.
“We have more options now compared to before Blackburn. I’m very pleased with that and what I told you, especially those players who miss pre-season, they will be better and better. They need minutes; we need to be patient with them, and for sure, they will be better and they will improve this group for sure.”
The Tigers also expect to find out the extent of the hamstring injuy picked up by Mohamed Belloumi in his first start since recovering from his ACL injury. Belloumi limped out just before half-time and was replaced by home debutant Darko Gyabi.
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