Hull City could be without nine players for Luton Town showdown as injury woes worsen

Hull City could be without as many as nine players when they make the journey to fellow struggling Luton Town when the Championship returns next weekend.

City have a host of key players unavailable, and while some will be missing for the season, head coach Tim Walter will hope to have good news on those expected back after the current international break.

He'll also be crossing his fingers that Kasey Palmer and Gustavo Puerta return safely from international duty unscathed. Palmer was taken off after 58 minutes in the early hours of Friday morning as Jamaica were beaten 1-0 by the USA in Kingston in the first leg of their Concacaf Nations League quarter-final, while Puerta is in the Colombia squad to face Uruguay on Saturday night in Montevideo.

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Liam Millar underwent successful knee surgery on his ACL injury on Tuesday and is now on the long road to recovery, while Mohamed Belloumi will be going under the knife in due course, and Oscar Zambrano remains sidelined with his alleged doping ban.

On the flip side, Walter will hope to have Carl Rushworth, Steven Alzate, Marvin Mehlem and Abu Kamara all back available for the trip to Kenilworth Road as the manic run of fixtures into the New Year begins.

Here's a look at where things stand...

Liam Millar

Injury: Anterior cruciate knee ligament (ACL)

Expected return date: The Canadian international is out for the season

Mohamed Belloumi

Injury: Anterior cruciate knee ligament (ACL)

Expected return date: Out for the season

Marvin Mehlem

Injury: Calf problem

Expected return date: After the international break

Steven Alzate

Injury: Calf issue

Expected return date: After the international break

Abu Kamara

Injury: Foot problem

Expected return date: After the international break

Carl Rushworth

Injury: Ankle problem

Expected return date: After the international break

Harvey Cartwright

Injury: Elbow surgery

Expected return date: After the international break

Thimothee Lo-Tutala

Injury: Foot problem

Expected return date: After the international break

Oscar Zambrano

Absence reason: Sixteen-month suspension (pending appeal)

Expected return date: Unclear