Hull City will be without six first-team players for Saturday's Premier League trip to Newcastle United at St. James' Park. A series of groin and other injuries has hit the squad's defensive and midfield options ahead of the fixture, with the full extent of the issues detailed on our injuries page.
Head coach Liam Rosenior faces significant selection problems. Key defender Charlie Hughes and goalkeeper Jack Butland are both out with a groin injury and an elbow problem respectively, each expected to return only at the end of October. They are joined on the sidelines by midfielder Darko Gyabi, also with a groin issue, and defender Nobel Mendy, who is recovering from concussion. Both are targeting a comeback around 20 October.
Further absentees include midfielder Hidemasa Morita and forward Ilyas Ansah, each with injuries expected to keep them out until late October. Defender Paddy McNair is also unavailable with a foot injury but could return as soon as next week.
Squad depth tested
The absences come at a time when Hull City have made a strong start to the season. The team currently sits fourth in the Premier League standings with eight points from four matches, a position built on a solid defensive record of just two goals conceded. Their most recent outing was a creditable 2-2 draw away to Chelsea, where Mohamed Belloumi scored twice. Belloumi is the club's top scorer this season with two goals, and his form will be vital in handling this challenging period. The team's overall stats show they have averaged 1.5 goals per game while conceding only 0.5.
Newcastle, sitting 12th, will provide a stern test. The Tigers' recent form shows one win, three draws and one loss from their last five league games. Managing the available personnel effectively will be key for Rosenior as he looks to maintain momentum. The match kicks off at 3pm UK time on Saturday, 19 September, and is the next challenge in a demanding run of fixtures.
