The signing of Louie Barry could end up presenting Hull City head coach Ruben Selles with something of a conundrum as he looks to chart a path away from danger at the wrong end of the Championship table.

Friday night's thumping 3-0 win at promotion-chasing Sheffield United was Selles' fourth league win in 10 outings since he took charge in early December. Victory moved the Tigers two points clear of the bottom three ahead of Saturday's six-pointer against Stoke City, who sit level on points with the East Yorkshire club.

Following Carl Rushworth's sudden departure after being recalled by Brighton and Hove Albion last week, City's loan contingent was reduced, but Barry's arrival has taken that back up to five, the maximum number allowed in an EFL squad on any given matchday.

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In addition to Louie Barry, City have Fin Burns, Lincoln, Gustavo Puerta and Joe Gelhardt, with Chris Bedia - on loan from Union Berlin - firmly out of the picture and set to leave the club by the end of the week to join Young Boys in Switzerland.

The issue comes if and when the Tigers make a left-back signing. Selles has made it clear he wants Charlie Taylor from Southampton. Hull Live understands that is now unlikely to happen, but bringing in cover cannot be ruled out before Monday's 11pm deadline. The club may also have yet have another surprise up their sleeve in the final hours of the window, knowing how much Acun Ilicali relishes the buzz of deadline day, thus potentially creating a dilemma for the Tigers head coach should he end up with six loanees at his disposal, meaning one will be forced to miss out.

If nothing else, Selles is ending the transfer window in a far, far stronger position than he started it, both in terms of options at his disposal and points on the board.