Hull City’s hopes of securing a positive result at West Bromwich Albion this weekend have been dealt a significant blow, with no fewer than seven first-team players unavailable due to injury or suspension.
Just weeks ago, the Tigers appeared to be nearing a clean bill of health, but a string of fresh setbacks has left manager Ruben Selles with a depleted squad for the trip to The Hawthorns.
Injury and suspension woes mount
The Tigers’ absentee list has continued to grow, with injuries and disciplinary issues compounding their problems. Louie Barry and Eliot Matazo both suffered serious knee injuries in recent fixtures, with Matazo’s ACL rupture ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
Defender Cody Drameh has also joined the list of casualties after sustaining a knee injury before Hull’s midweek victory over Oxford United. Meanwhile, Liam Millar and Mohamed Belloumi remain sidelined with long-term ACL injuries.
Adding to Selles’ selection headache, Gustavo Puerta is suspended for one match following his dismissal against Oxford, while Joao Pedro will serve the second of his three-game ban after seeing red at Bristol City.
“We are disappointed to lose key players at such an important stage of the season, but we have to adapt and find solutions,” Selles said.
The club is also still without Oscar Zambrano, who continues to serve a 16-month suspension for alleged doping violations, a charge he denies and is currently appealing.
Can Hull City cope?
Despite the mounting absences, Hull City have shown resilience in recent matches, including a crucial victory at Sunderland and a battling draw at Bristol City. The Tigers will hope to rally once again as they face a West Brom side fighting for promotion.
There is some hope on the horizon, with Drameh expected to return after the international break and Puerta available again for Hull’s next game. However, the continued absence of key figures could prove costly in a pivotal period of the season.
Writer’s view
Hull City’s injury crisis couldn’t have come at a worse time, with the Championship season reaching its critical stage. The loss of seven players, many of whom would be automatic starters, puts immense pressure on the squad’s depth. Selles must now find a way to manage these setbacks while maintaining their push for survival in an unpredictable campaign.
