Hull City transfer target Sorba Thomas was left out of the Nantes squad for their big Ligue 1 clash with Lyon on Sunday afternoon.

Thomas, who is the subject of firm interest from City, had been a regular throughout the campaign for the struggling outfit following his loan move from Huddersfield Town but was not involved against the side chasing a place in Europe with the Championship club hoping for a breakthrough after the move hit the rocks following weeks of talks.

City have agreed a fee with Town, who allowed the Welsh international to leave the Terriers on loan following their relegation from the Championship, while it's understood the Tigers have also settled on terms with the 26-year-old over a permanent move to the MKM Stadium.

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Nantes, who sit in the Ligue 1 relegation play-off spot, have been determined to keep Thomas, with their season-long loan deal having the option to make it permanent this summer, and have been reticent to allow him to return to England and join the Tigers.

Their understandable stance has held up the move, which City thought would be completed after the 2-2 draw with Monaco earlier this month, but it's now hoped the Tigers can clinch the deal and have Thomas in Ruben Selles' squad before the window closes next Monday at 11pm.

Thomas remains their primary target on the flanks, with owner Acun Ilicali keen to bolster Selles' attacking ranks in a bid to find the magic formula in the final third of the pitch.

Friday night's thumping 3-0 win at automatic promotion-hopefuls Sheffield United saw new signings Joe Gelhardt, Matt Crooks, Kyle Joseph and Eliot Matazo all feature, with Crooks scoring the first at Bramall Lane, before Matty Jacob made it 2-0 and United's Harrison Burrow's completed the scoring with a close range finish after terrific work from Joao Pedro.