Sergej Jakirovic will hope for good news on the injury front this week
Sergej Jakirovic will hope for good news on the injury front this week(Image: Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)
View Image
After a lengthy break owing to the new-look international window, Hull City return to Premier League action on Sunday when they host unbeaten Everton at the MKM Stadium.
Despite being just five games into the new top-flight campaign, City's injury worries continued going into their final outing at St James' Park last month, and those have not gone away over the past three weeks, though there are signs of improvement.
Jakirovic will hope all 13 of his players return from the three-week international window unscathed, with a flurry playing plenty of minutes. Konstantinos Tzolakis played all four of Greece's Nations League games, impressing with two clean sheets in the double-header with Germany, but at the other end of the scale, John Egan managed just two short cameo appearances off the bench for the Republic of Ireland. After suffering a concussion at Chelsea, Nobel Mendy missed Newcastle but has been able to get away - and play - with Senegal, which is a major boost.
A behind-closed-doors game against Sheffield United on Friday saw a host of players get valuable minutes, including Joe Gelhardt and Lucas Gourna-Douath, who both scored in a 2-0 victory over Chris Wilder's side. Gourna-Douath was in action, and on the scoresheet, just hours after escaping a car accident outside the club's training ground.
Read more: The 1904 Club announces Hull City live podcast event to celebrate Premier League return
City's players return to training on Tuesday morning as they step up preparations for the visit of David Moyes' Toffees, and will welcome back their international contingent later in the week, which will no doubt have a bearing on Jakirovic's team selection for Sunday, no doubt thankful for the extra day to prepare and recover.
Here's an early look at how things stand going into the weekend....
Tim Iroegbunam
Injury: Groin
Return date: Could be back in the fold for Fulham next weekend
Nobel Mendy
Injury: Concussion
Return date: Available - played 90 minutes for Senegal on Sunday and is available for the weekend
Morita
Injury: Groin
Return date: Set to return to full training this week
Brooke Norton-Cuffy
Injury: Hamstring
Return date: Expected back in training this week
Darko Gyabi
Injury: Groin
Return date: Due back in full training this week
Jack Butland
Injury: Elbow
Return date: It's hoped before Christmas
Charlie Hughes
Injury: Groin
Return date: Currently back in individual training
Elias Ansah
Injury: Back
Return date: Set to see a specialist this week to ascertain the latest prognosis
Elliot Matazo
Injury: ACL
Return date: Next year
Here at Hull Live , we are dedicated to bringing you the best Hull City coverage and analysis. Make sure you don't miss out on the latest City news by joining our free WhatsApp group.
You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe. You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.