Hull City injury latest as Ruben Selles confirms six fitness concerns for Millwall test
Hull City will assess no fewer than six of their players ahead of Saturday's crucial trip to take on Millwall at The Den with yet more injury concerns for Ruben Selles.
In a season dominated by injuries, many of them serious, City were without Abdus Omur, Ryan Longman and Matty Jacob on Sunday as they were dumped out of the FA Cup by League Two Doncaster Rovers. Influential midfielder Steven Alzate had to be replaced at half-time with a back complaint, along with Manchester City loanee Fin Burns, who took a fizzing ball into his head in the first half.
After a spell of treatment, Burns played on before needing more treatment shortly after but was replaced by Alfie Jones at the break with the game goalless.
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Gustavo Puerta, who rescued City when he rattled in the equaliser nine minutes from time after Mason Burstow's low driven effort cannoned back off a post, was also nursing a knock at the end of extra-time and, therefore, unable to take a spot-kick.
Abdus Omur was absent with a slight knee injury, though it's hoped he will be fit to travel to Bermondsey, but if not, next Tuesday night's home meeting with QPR.
City are already without wingers Liam Millar and Mohamed Belloumi with ACL injuries, while Kasey Palmer and Charlie Hughes are sidelined until next month. Ecuadorian Oscar Zambrano is banned so the Tigers can ill-afford to lose anyone else, though their squad will be boosted by Matt Crooks' arrival. It's hoped Joe Gelhardt will feature, and so, too, a potential winger.
"It was a contact at the end; he was swelling a little bit, so I don't think it should be major, but I will need to wait for the assessment," Selles told Hull Live of Puerta's issue. before going on to explain what forced Alzate off having been impressive in the first half once again.
"It was a spasm in his back, and he was feeling very uncomfortable in the half-time," he explained of Alzate. "I don't know (any ongoing issues for Alzate). We will need to analyse with the medical team, which they are doing right now."
Longman was back in training after his groin injury in the days leading up to the FA Cup tie, but Selles opted against risking both him and Jacob.
"I decided not to risk it with him (Longman)," he said. "He has been just training a little bit with us, so I decided not to risk the situation. Matty Jacob was the same. He reported a small injury in his hip, so we were just trying to protect him from a bigger injury. I think he should be back during the week."