The Tigers will be aiming for a second home win in the space of a week against Rovers
Joel Ndala was hurt in the win over Oxford United last weekend (Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Hull City have been handed a major boost ahead of Saturday’s Championship showdown with Blackburn Rovers at the MKM Stadium after head coach Sergej Jakirovic confirmed that winger Mohamed Belloumi is set to be in the squad.
Belloumi, who signed for City on deadline day last summer, has not played since suffering a season-ending ACL injury in the final moments of the Tigers’ defeat at Oxford United on November 5 last year.
The Algerian ace is expected to be on the bench for City as they look to make it back-to-back home wins in front of the television cameras on Saturday lunchtime.
City will also have Manchester City loanee Joel Ndala in the squad after initial worries that he could miss the game with a shoulder injury he picked up in the closing stages of the dramatic victory over Oxford United at the weekend.
However, head coach Jakirovic has other concerns, with Matt Crooks nursing an ankle injury he picked up on Sunday, which saw him leave the MKM Stadium in a protective boot.
Crooks, who scored the second goal, has been ruled out. At this stage, it’s touch and go whether the experienced midfielder will recover in time for next weekend’s trip to Bristol City, the final outing before the upcoming international break. Luckily, Crooks, who is still wearing that protective boot, does not require surgery.
The Tigers will still not be able to call upon skipper Lewie Coyle, Nathan Tinsdale, Semi Ajayi or Enis Destan, while Liam Millar is not expected back until next month.
Another concern for Jakirovic going into the Tigers’ final home outing for almost a month is a bout of illness that has been sweeping through the camp. At this stage, it’s unclear if that will rule out any players for the game against Rovers.
“I just want to make sure that we are healthy. This is the most important thing for this squad, especially due to the embargo and our transfer situation,” the City boss told Hull Live. “Right now, we’re losing one player per game. And this is not good. This is not good. OK, this is football. This can happen because of kicks. I hope that after this international break, we will be healthy.
“We’ve now lost Crooks; he cannot play this Saturday, and now we have some virus in the camp, so we will see. On this day, we don’t know who will play on Saturday. We have some problems, but I hope it will be good.
“Crooks is out, Semi Ajayi is out, Akin Famewo is out. He got some kicks in the calf in training yesterday, so he has a problem, but others are good right now, but we will see.
“Lewie Coyle is not ready yet. Next week, but we will not be in the squad this week. Joel is good; he’s been training with us all week. Enis won’t be with us just yet. I must listen to the medical staff, so not yet. Nathan (Tinsdale) didn’t train with us this week, so we will see next week. He’s better, but he didn’t train with us.
“Mo Belloumi will be on the bench. He will be on the bench, and then I will decide, but it’s better for everyone, for our group, he will improve our group a lot. He needs some time, but he trained with us with full contact, so for his head, it’s good to be with us.”
On the subject of Crooks, Jakirovic admits he could be a doubt for the trip to Ashton Gate next Saturday. He says he felt the challenge on him that caused the swelling in his ankle warranted punishment.
“He (Crooks) got a kick on his ankle, and it came without any yellow card. I think this is almost a red card, if we have VAR. There’s a big swelling. Right now, it’s not good, and he still has his foot in a boot.”
Jakirovic also offered his support to former summer target Matija Frigan. City hoped to sign the Croatian striker before their transfer fee ban was imposed. Just days after making his debut for Serie A side Parma following his move from Westerlo, the 22-year-old suffered an ACL injury in training, and the Tigers chief said he had contacted Frigan to wish him well.
“Yes, I’m very sorry,” he said of a player he was desperate to bring to the MKM Stadium, and who wanted to be reunited with his former boss.
“He has a very strong head. I texted him and he responded to say, ‘I will get back stronger.’ He’s always been a fighter, so I hope and I wish him a good recovery. This is very cruel, without contact. He was one-on-one dribbling, and he just fell down. Amazing.”
Meanwhile, on transfers, the Tigers boss revealed that he did not expect any movement on new arrivals before the weekend’s game, though he remains hopeful ahead of the window closing on Monday week.
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