Hull City could be without two key players for their trip to Sunderland on Friday night.
Sunderland will face off against The Tigers for the second time in less than a month, having narrowly beaten them at the MKM Stadium on Boxing Day.
It was Michael Beale‘s first win since he was appointed Sunderland boss, just days after they were thrashed by Coventry City.
The Black Cats will be eager to do a quick-fire double over Hull, having lost their last two games in all competitions. Defeat to Ipswich Town at the weekend has seen them fall out of the play-off places.
Hull City could leapfrog Sunderland with a win on Wearside, but have managed only one win in their last six games, while they have only won once on the road in the last three months.
It’s looking even worse for Hull ahead of their trip north though, with two key players potentially sidelined.
One player who will definitely miss out is Liam Delap, with manager Liam Rosenior confirming that he will be in the treatment room for up to three months.
The striker has started 24 of their 27 games this term and has claimed seven goals and two assists – three of which have come in his last six matches in the Championship.
Who will start vs Sunderland?
It is a huge loss for Hull, made even worse by the potential absence of another first-choice attacker in Aaron Connolly.
The 23-year-old is a doubt after colliding with Angus Gunn during The Tigers’ defeat to Norwich City last time out, with Connolly forced off following the incident.
Connolly is Hull’s top scorer in the Championship this season, netting eight goals in 24 games.
If Hull City are missing two of their most important forwards then they could be in real trouble on Friday.
The arrival of Fabio Carvalho on loan is a much-needed boost for Rosenior’s side, with the Liverpool loanee a player who Sunderland could really struggle to deal with.
However, Hull will be without some of their main firepower and could instead turn to Billy Sharp up top. The 37-year-old managed only two goals in his last season with Sheffield United.
Meanwhile, Scott Twine has been recalled from his loan spell at Hull City after starting in Liam Delap’s place at the weekend.
Rosenior may instead call upon Jason Lokilo, who is yet to provide a goal or assist since joining the Yorkshire outfit in the summer.