Hull City are set to welcome back their captain, Lewie Coyle, for a crucial encounter against Stoke City at the MKM Stadium this Saturday. The Tigers are eager to build on their recent 3-0 victory over Sheffield United, a performance that highlighted their potential as they strive to ascend the Championship table. Coyle has missed the last two matches due to an ankle injury sustained during Hull's narrow 1-0 win at Millwall, but he has returned to training and is expected to be a strong contender for a starting position against the Potters.
In addition to Coyle's anticipated return, new signing Louie Barry will be included in head coach Ruben Selles' squad for the first time following his loan move from Aston Villa earlier this week. Barry has already begun training with his new teammates at the club’s Cottingham training ground, raising expectations among supporters for an impactful debut.
Midfielder Matt Crooks, who was substituted in the second half of the match at Bramall Lane due to hamstring tightness, has also returned to full training after missing a couple of sessions. Abdus Omur is poised to make his comeback as well, having recovered from a knee injury. Selles provided an update on Coyle's condition, stating, "He's fine (Coyle). He trained today obviously with a little bit of, not concern, but it's not fully ready, and then we need to see how he settles, but he has been training. Hopefully, tomorrow he will make it and can make the squad and maybe the team on the weekend." He also confirmed, "Crooksy (Matt Crooks) was substituted after 60 minutes (with hamstring tightness). He went a couple of days without training with the team. Matt is back in training, and he should be able to participate and maybe start the game. We also have Abdus Omur back on the training pitch tomorrow (Friday) and, hopefully, will also be available."
Despite these positive updates, Hull City will be without Kasey Palmer and Charlie Hughes, both of whom are nearing a return but are expected to be unavailable for another three weeks. The arrival of Barry, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Stockport County, where he netted 15 goals in 23 matches, has injected a sense of optimism into the squad. Selles is well aware of Barry's capabilities, recalling how he scored twice in a 4-1 victory against Selles' Reading earlier this season.
Selles described Barry's attributes, stating, "Well, I think Louie is a pure left winger, right-footed. We talked about it in this transfer window, adding a lot of pace and quality in the final third and a lot of goals. He's an Aston Villa player who has been training with them in the last three weeks. He smashed League One with his quality in the last six months. We (at Reading) conceded two goals against him, and we were not an easy team to beat, so he did a very good job against us. Louie has been one of the most excellent players in League One this season. His qualities and abilities suit the team that we are, and I think we suit his next level of development, competing in the Championship and being able to replicate his performances at the next level, so I think it can be very important for us."
As Hull City prepares for the match, Selles acknowledges the significance of the fixture, although he insists that every game holds equal importance. "We are always having the same discussion about this (home form) until we finally break that one," he said. "I think it's more external than internal because we talk about repeating performances. I will say that the QPR game was not a bad performance for us at all; it was about moments in the game. For us, it's about the next game in front of us; it's in front of our fans, and we want to do the very best that we can do."
Selles further added, "People talk about it (being a six-pointer or must-win) because we are just playing in that bottom part of the table, all of us, but the reality is that we have been there before, and it's a game that we are going to face in the same terms that we face some other opponents. For us, the game is a must-win, but for us, every game is a must-win. We will always compete to win the game, so that is not the difference, and that's why we don't feel more or less pressure; it's just what it is."
Stoke City, like Hull, has struggled away from home this season, managing only two victories. They have yet to secure three points in their four league outings since Mark Robins took charge, recording three draws and one loss. However, Stoke has won their last three visits to the MKM Stadium without conceding a goal. Selles anticipates a strong performance from the Potters, particularly from new signing Ali Al-Hamadi, who could pose a significant threat.
"Especially in this period of the year now, they have Al-Hamadi coming in from Ipswich, which is a striker that can make them more powerful in the attacking positions," Selles noted. "I think that he's (Robins) trying to rebuild the team again, and it's never easy. I have been there myself when you pick a team and you are the third manager in the season, it's never easy, but I think he's getting some performances trying to put the team together and with the players (signed) in the transfer window, he can get his team stronger and go in the way that he wants to go as he did it in his previous club (at Coventry City). I expect a team that will be, especially in the moment that they are, that it is going to be better than they have been because they have had a week to work with the new players, the idea of the manager, and I expect a team that probably will be the best version since he arrived to the club."
As Hull City prepares for this pivotal clash, all eyes will be on the MKM Stadium as they aim to secure vital points in their Championship campaign. The return of key players and the addition of new talent could prove crucial in their quest for success.