The Tigers get their campaign underway in the Midlands
11:15, 09 Aug 2025Updated 11:24, 09 Aug 2025
Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic at the CBS Arena
Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic at the CBS Arena(Image: Nigel French/PA Wire)
Oliver McBurnie and Joe Gelhardt have both been named in Hull City's squad for the opening game of the Championship season at Coventry City as the Tigers kick off their new campaign.
Gelhardt's move from Leeds United was confirmed on Saturday morning, but the forward trained on Friday before the squad travelled to the Midlands and started on the bench against the Sky Blues.
Another high-profile arrival in McBurnie was on the bench alongside Gelhardt, but there are starts for John Lundstram, Semi Ajayi and Joel Ndala in Sergej Jakirovic's first starting XI of the new campaign.
Jakirovic has made two changes from the side that faced Getafe in the final pre-season friendly a week ago, with Regan Slater and Ndala coming in for Nathan Tinsdale and Kasey Palmer, who both dropped to the bench.
Ivor Pandur has been named in goal, with Ryan Giles and Cody Drameh the two full-backs. Ajayi and Charlie Hughes, who has been the subject of two failed bids from Coventry were the two central defenders.
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Lundstram and Regan Slater are the two sitting midfielders with Ndala on the left, Abu Kamara on the right and Matt Crooks in the number 10 position behind striker Kyle Joseph.
City's starting XI: Pandur, Giles, Hughes (c), Ajayi, Lundstram, Slater, Ndala, Crooks, Kamara, Joseph. Subs: Phillips, McBurnie, Egan, Gelhardt, Famewo, Brown, Palmer, Tinsdale, McCarthy
Referee: Bobby Madley
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