After a disappointing week at home, coach Sergej Jakirovic believes Hull City need a bit of a "reset" – and now is a good time for it.
Hull do not have a Championship game for a fortnight, and there will be very little expectation at home to Liam Rosenior's Chelsea in the FA Cup on Friday.
Jakirovic hinted he will rest key players, and further bed in others signed in the transfer window.
"Maybe we need a reset," said the coach of what is effectively a two-week break in the middle of a run of 17 league games in 78 days.
"The recovery (time) is good. Maybe players who missed some weeks because of injury have more time for (training) sessions.
"Chelsea is Chelsea. Maybe we will use this game to give some minutes to those players who need minutes, we will see. We must be smart in this game.
"They played on Saturday (against Wolverhampton Wanderers), and on Tuesday again (versus Leeds United), so we will see who will play against us."
RESET? Hull City coach Sergej Jakirovic (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)placeholder image
RESET? Hull City coach Sergej Jakirovic (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)
Jakirovic handed a debut to Paddy McNair on Saturday, and Toby Collyer from the bench.
"I put Paddy in, also Toby Collyer, so we can see where they are right now,” explained Jakirovic. “Now I have info, so it's easier to pick the right players.
"Lewie Coyle, Charlie Hughes, they play every game, so they are not 100 per cent. Regan Slater plays every game, 90 minutes.
"We're see now with Lunny (John Lundstram), how in some situations he is struggling because he was out for three months.
"On Saturday I spared Amir (Hadziahmetovic), because he also sometimes needs a break, but now we have options."