Hull City hoping for double injury boost ahead of crucial Watford clash

Hull City hope to have both Alfie Jones and Xavier Simons available for Wednesday night's visit of Watford to the MKM Stadium in Ruben Selles' first game in charge after sitting out the weekend's action with injury.

Jones ended a run of 44 successive Championship appearances by missing the 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, along with Simons, who has established himself as a regular in the City engine room this season.

Charlie Hughes made his comeback from injury against Rovers, partnering Sean McLoughlin for the first time in the centre of City's defence, while Simons' place went to Colombian international Gustavo Puerta, with him partnering Regan Slater.

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Defender Jones felt his calf in training and wasn't risked while Simons tweaked his hamstring. Neither are expected to be too severe and the pair could be involved against the Hornets, which would be a welcome boost to Selles, who will already be without Liam Millar, Mohamed Belloumi and Carl Rushworth through injury, while Oscar Zambrano remains banned.

Meanwhile, skipper Lewie Coyle survived the game on Saturday without picking up a fifth yellow card of the season, and will now not face a suspension if he picks up a fifth booking. The yellow card cut-off point now moves to the 39th game of the campaign, and the threshold rises to ten cautions - that comes after the home meeting with Luton Town in March.