Attention now shifts to cup competition matters for Hull City following their impressive league victory over Manchester United at the weekend. The club faces a second-round Carabao Cup tie against Championship opposition in Stoke City, with the contest taking place at the bet365 Stadium. Reaching round three would mark the club’s first progression to that stage since clinching the League One championship in 2020.
Manager Sergej Jakirovic confronts a mounting injury list heading into the Potteries encounter. The situation has been complicated further by problems sustained during the Manchester United match. Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy both departed after the hour mark, while Lewie Coyle was unable to continue soon after. Prior to that fixture, Charlie Hughes, Joe Gelhardt, and Oscar Zambrano were already unavailable. While Ajayi and Mendy are not believed to have sustained serious problems, the club is unlikely to expose them to additional risk at this stage.
The upcoming league fixture at Coventry City on Saturday provides additional context for Jakirovic’s team selection decisions. Rotation appears probable given the physical demands of recent performances, with several recent arrivals potentially earning starting berths. The forward line presents particular selection challenges due to limited squad depth in attacking areas. Tyrell Sellars-Fleming could be handed an unfamiliar opportunity in an advanced role, with Oli McBurnie a candidate for rest. Alternative options include deploying Liam Millar or David Akintola out of position, or repositioning Matt Crooks as a striker with supporting players around him.
Between the posts, Dillon Phillips stands ready to start following Jack Butland’s injury setback. Full-back positions would likely feature Matt Targett on the left and Cody Drameh on the right. Should Jakirovic opt for a conventional back four, Paddy McNair and Lucas Herrington could occupy the central defensive positions.
Summer acquisition Lucas Gourna-Douath appears set for a full debut in midfield, where Jens Hjerto-Dahl and Kieran Dowell might also be given opportunities. Liam Millar’s encouraging substitute appearance against United has positioned him for involvement from the outset. Japanese midfielder Hidemasa Morita, another close-season signing, may receive minutes off the bench as he adapts to English football under Coventry manager Mark Robins.
The anticipated starting lineup for the Stoke match comprises Phillips in goal, protected by Targett, Herrington, McNair, and Drameh across defence. Gourna-Douath anchors the midfield alongside Hjerto-Dahl and Dowell, with Millar and Sellars-Fleming supporting the lone forward, Omur.