City will have to be careful during the winter transfer window given their situation
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
09:00, 07 Jan 2026
Toby Collyer in action for West Bromwich Albion earlier this season
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Toby Collyer in action for West Bromwich Albion earlier this season(Image: Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
Hull City will hope to boost Sergej Jakirovic's squad before the transfer window closes on February 2, though that won't be an easy task.
While City are flying high in the race for promotion to the Premier League, the Tigers are working under strict restrictions placed on them by the EFL, which means that, as it stands, they can only bring in players once they've let some go.
That is proving difficult, but despite that, owner Acun Ilicali is hopeful of giving Jakirovic a player or two that can help his squad in the second half of the campaign.
With that in mind, here's a look at some Premier League loanees that may well be re-available in the second half of the season and keen to enjoy better times than they did in the first half....
Lewis Koumas (winger, Birmingham City on loan from Liverpool)
Having had one Championship spell with Stoke last season, Liverpool sent Koumas to Birmingham amid initial talks with Hull City, hoping he’d kick on and establish himself as a regular starter. It hasn’t happened.
Indeed, the 20-year-old, son of former Wales playmaker Jason, has started just five league games and went half a season before breaking his duck, with a neat finish in the 3-2 win over Coventry.
He’s benefitting from Demarai Gray’s injury but will surely go back to a bit-part role once the Jamaica international returns – there’s even been talk he could be recalled by Liverpool.
Sverre Nypan (attacking midfielder, Middlesbrough on loan from Manchester City)
Manchester City beat off Aston Villa to secure a £12.5 million deal for the 19-year-old in the summer and immediately loaned him out to Middlesbrough.
However, he has been unable to make an impression and has managed just three starts, has been used primarily as a sub and at Bristol City before Christmas suffered the ignominy of being subbed on and off. City have a break clause and he’s been talked about in terms of a recall and potentially being loaned out to Preston.
Toby Collyer (midfielder, West Brom on loan from Manchester United)
The 22-year-old, who was close to a move to City in the summer, has already been recalled by United with injury curtailing his prospects at The Hawthorns. He made 12 appearances but only three starts, and his last one was ended by injury in November.
With all the turmoil around United at the moment following the departure of Rubin Amorim, the midfielder could be kept around the squad, or once he is fit towards the end of January, sent back on loan to try again in the Championship.
Speaking about the youngster 12 months ago Bruno Fernandes said: ‘He’s a really good kid who wants to learn. He’s eager to learn, he’s eager to listen. He has big, big qualities – he’s aggressive off the ball, he’s aggressive running with the ball, he’s class in tight spaces.”
Divin Mubama (striker, Stoke City on loan from Manchester City)
The centre forward has shown flashes of his ability under Mark Robins but often ends games having not made much of an impression.
A fast start with two goals in his first two Championship matches, he has now gone 11 games without scoring since plundering a hat-trick against Bristol City.
He was subbed off at half time at Norwich City at the weekend, has been booed by Stoke fans and at 21 years old has some way to prove himself as a second-tier striker.
Stoke would need to find a replacement before even considering asking about cutting the loan short – but it’s something they could well be thinking about.
Eiran Cashin (centre back, Birmingham City, on loan from Brighton)
The former Derby County defender had a nightmare start to his Blues career with a series of errors that led to defeats. That saw him spend months on the sidelines, and only as injuries and suspensions have bit deep has he come back into the picture.
However, only three Championship starts are not the return on investment either Blues or Brighton were looking for, and he is expected to go back, albeit briefly, to The Amex. He has already been linked with Blackburn Rovers. Has played centre back this season, even a little left back, but looks far more comfortable on the left of a three.
Tyler Bindon (centre back, Sheffield United on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Bindon joined Forest from Reading a year ago, stayed with the Royals until the end of last season and was loaned to the Blades for his first taste of Championship action in July.
The New Zealand international has made nine starts in what has been a disrupted first half of the campaign for the Bramall Lane outfit, and he was struggling for game-time.
However, injuries to Mark McGuinness and Ben Mee opened the door and the 20-year-old has started the last four matches and what seemed like a clear case of loan termination now looks a bit more nuanced.
Chris Wilder said ‘everything’s on the table’ when asked about Bindon’s future before Christmas – which is potentially positive for Bindon given the fact the United manager has already confirmed Louie Barry and Ben Godfrey will definitely leave after half-a-season.
Louie Barry (winger, Sheffield United, on loan from Aston Villa)
The exciting 22-year-old built on a brilliant season on loan with Stockport County in League One with a stellar pre-season campaign for the Blades, after a failed move to the MKM Stadium last winter and then another close shave with the Tigers in the summer prior to Ruben Selles taking him to Bramall Lane.
However, opportunities dried up, and another injury means he has not played since October, with Wilder confirming his return to Villa.
He is unlikely to break into Unai Emery’s Champions League qualifying chasers, and once he has returned to fitness, he could either be sent back out on loan or sold permanently.
Stoke City have already been linked. At his best, he is a direct and potent left-sided attacker, but one who must prove himself at Championship level, given his struggles now in two separate spells with City and United.
Harry Amass (left wing back, Sheffield Wednesday on loan from Manchester United)
Amass was having a superb season with the embattled Owls, starting 21 times after joining on deadline day from Man United.
Recent reports suggested United weren’t intending to recall the 18-year-old, but Ruben Amorim's departure looks to have changed that, with him heading back to Old Trafford before going elsewhere.
The same reports even claimed he was considering an option to join Stoke as they look to reinforce their full-back options, limited by injuries, but there's sure to be a host of potential suitors.
Do any of those take your fancy? Have your say in the comments below...
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