Hull City have received a lift with the possibility that summer acquisition Hidemasa Morita might feature in the matchday squad for Saturday’s early kick-off against Manchester United.
Morita joined during the close season following his departure from Sporting Lisbon, linking up with Sergej Jakirovic’s side at their pre-season gathering in Slovenia. However, he has been dealing with a calf complaint and has only just begun working with the group in England as he gets set for his debut campaign in English football.
The Japan international rejoined full training this week and could take a place among the substitutes for the United fixture at the MKM Stadium, as the club launches its Premier League season before a capacity home attendance.
Cody Drameh has also rejoined the squad after experiencing a recurrence of his hamstring problem and is expected to be involved, although Joe Gelhardt, Charlie Hughes, Jack Butland, Matty Jacob and Oscar Zambrano remain unavailable, alongside long-term injury victim Eliot Matazo.
Jakirovic mentioned that the club was still awaiting the findings from Charlie Hughes’s medical examination in Dublin, with the defender continuing to manage a groin issue after undergoing double hernia surgery at the conclusion of the previous campaign. There is more encouraging news regarding Joe Gelhardt, who could resume training ahead of the original schedule next week as he recovers from an ankle injury sustained prior to his move from Leeds United.
Jakirovic told Hull Live that Morita has begun training with the group, and the club will assess his condition on Friday. He noted that Morita could potentially be among the substitutes and that the coaching staff will determine if he feels comfortable. Jakirovic explained that Morita played his final match at the end of May for Sporting Lisbon, so the club must be cautious with his return. The assessment will continue, and Jakirovic will obviously speak with the player directly.
The club intends to utilise Morita in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup encounter at Stoke City, provided he completes training without difficulties on Friday, as they look to gradually build his match fitness having featured in no pre-season fixtures.
Jakirovic stated that Morita may receive some playing time on Tuesday, and that represents the plan. He noted that Cody Drameh has returned and has been training with the group this week. Jakirovic added that Zambrano remains unavailable and has now commenced individual work, Matty Jacob is out, and Charlie Hughes travelled to Dublin to consult a specialist, with the club expecting to learn his situation upon his return. Jakirovic anticipates Hughes joining team training next week and expressed trust that he will be fine.
Although several new arrivals will not be available, including Gelhardt and Morita, Jakirovic does have Nobel Mendy, Lucas Herrington, Jens Hjerto-Dahl and Lucas Gourna-Douath all competing for their first Premier League appearances, though the Croatian offered no clarity on whether they would feature in his starting eleven, stating they are prepared.
Jakirovic explained that the club has used the final two friendly matches to provide some playing time and additional minutes for the new signings. He said his responsibility is to achieve a suitable balance between the existing players from the Championship and the new arrivals. Jakirovic noted that everything has progressed smoothly so far, including in training sessions with individuals to evaluate afterwards, where they demonstrate their principles and what they require in certain positions. He acknowledged there is considerable work involved, but the players are also astute, so they can understand what is needed from them. They are prepared, and tomorrow the club will determine who will face Manchester United.