Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic has announced he will make determinations regarding the futures of certain squad members within the next day.
Jakirovic faces difficult choices about whether to include several peripheral players in the Tigers’ 25-man roster, which must be filed following the closure of the transfer window next month.
The Hull manager provided several squad players with an opportunity to prove themselves during Tuesday night’s match at Stoke City, where they secured victory in a penalty shoot-out after the contest ended 1-1 in the Potteries.
Kieran Dowell struck an impressive equalising goal to strengthen his claims for inclusion in Jakirovic’s squad, while David Akintola and Abdus Omur were also handed infrequent starting berths and opportunities to make an impression, although realistically neither appears likely to feature at this point.
Dowell has previously expressed uncertainty about where his career stands, given the influx of new signings and further arrivals anticipated before Tuesday’s 11pm cutoff.
Jakirovic has stated he will hold discussions with Acun Ilicali and sporting director Okan Ozkan to assess how the new recruits are integrating and what steps are required to move players on to prevent a bloated squad unable to participate in matches.
When speaking to Hull Live, he explained that with additional signings potentially arriving, the squad would number at least 25, creating a risk that some players cannot be officially registered.
He indicated that Wednesday would involve reviewing the final number of arrivals and determining necessary action.
He also referenced the importance of his own selections and his perspective on the situation, noting that Dowell currently remains part of the setup, with further consultation planned involving the board, the chairman, and Ozkan regarding required steps.
Hull had been progressing with plans for player departures ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture at Coventry City. However, Jakirovic has acknowledged that those initial strategies have since shifted considerably.
He emphasised the significance of facilitating player exits, stating that while one approach had been in place, circumstances have now altered dramatically, describing it as constantly evolving.
Some players may depart on temporary deals or be sold permanently, with the outcome dependent on incoming transfers. The situation remains fluid given the restriction on registering more than 25 players.