Nigel Adkins will take his young Hull City side to his former club Sheffield United tomorrow for their League Cup tie.
He is expected to make wholesale changes and freshen up his team. Here is a predicted starting eleven for the Tigers-
GK- George Long- He joined Hull in the summer from Sheffield United and is likely to make his debut against his former club at Bramall Lane. Long started his career with the Blades and rose through their youth ranks before playing over 100 games for them.
RB- Eric Lichaj- He is City’s only senior right-back apart from Todd Kane who has been playing left midfield. Therefore, the American international is expected to play again tomorrow. He looks to be a solid signing and has slotted in nicely into the team.
CB- Angus MacDonald- The 25-year-old is set to make his first start of the season against the Blades. He joined City from Barnsley in January and will be hoping to force his way back into Nigel Adkins’ team past new signings Reece Burke and Jordy de Wijs.
CB- Reece Burke- There is a chance Adkins could play youngster Adam Curry but I expect him to stick with Burke. The summer recruit from West Ham is set for a big season with City and needs to get more minutes under his belt to settle him into the backline.
LB- Brandon Fleming- The 18-year-old is highly-rated by the Tigers and played a lot over pre-season. he made his first-team debut last August in a League Cup game against Doncaster Rovers and could start tomorrow.
RM- Jarrod Bowen- I think Adkins will start Bowen at right midfield again as he provides a key attacking threat. The 21-year-old managed 15 goals last season and could be key if Hull are to get past Sheffield United.
CM- Jackson Irvine- He needs to get more game time after missing the majority of pre-season because of his World Cup duties. Adkins is likely to give him some minutes tomorrow for him to get some more competitive first-team action.
CM- Kevin Stewart- The big-money signing from Liverpool last summer needs to start playing more games for City and tomorrow is a big opportunity for him. He only played 16 times in the league last season due to injury.
LM- David Milinkovic- The summer signing from Genoa has been used off the bench so far and could be handed his starting chance tomorrow. He impressed on loan at Hearts last season and Hull fans want to see what he can do.
CAM- Jon Toral- Evandro probably won’t play which will give Toral a chance in the starting eleven. The Spaniard has been given the number 10 shirt this season and City need to get him on the ball more as he can make things happen.
ST- Will Keane- Adkins will have a selection headache between Keane and Nouha Dicko. Frazier Campbell is likely to be rested but I think he’ll give Keane some more minutes to help his regain match sharpness.
