Striking boost for City as Wilks in contention for Swansea trip

Grant McCann, right, with assistant manager Cliff Byrne. Picture by Hull City

Forward Mallik Wilks is fit again and in contention for Hull City’s Sky Bet Championship visit to Swansea on Saturday.

Wilks, who has been sidelined with a calf injury since the opening day win at Preston, has two weeks of training under his belt and is available for selection, boss Grant McCann told an online press conference today.

McCann said: “Mallik’s looking good. He’s been training for the last two weeks with the group, so he’s in a good place.”

The news is a welcome boost for the Tigers, who have failed to score in their last four league games, and increases the striking options available to McCann.

New signing Tyler Smith, described as an “instinct” No 9, impressed on his debut in the goalless draw at home to Bournemouth last time out, and McCann will now have eight to choose from when all his forwards are fit.

The City boss said competition among the forward players was now “fierce”.

But the visit to Swansea, who sit one place below City in the table in 19th, will come too soon for midfielder George Honeyman.

However, McCann said Honeyman was “two to three weeks ahead of schedule” and did not rule him out for the trip to Blackburn on Tuesday.

He said of the midfielder: “He’s been working very hard on the training pitch with the conditioning coaches and he’s building that base again.

“But he’s looking great. For example, we do a 1k time trial, which is a gruelling test for the players, and George blew his test, his pre-season results, out of the water.”

The Tigers boss said he and his staff would make a decision on forward Josh Magennis in the morning, while defender Alfie Jones was struggling with a thigh problem, and it would be “touch and go” whether Jones would be fit in time for Tuesday.

Another player who remains in contention up front is Tom Eaves, who McCann revealed turned down a chance to leave the MKM Stadium during the transfer window.

Asked if there had been any firm bids for Eaves, McCann said: “There was a lot of people interested in Tom, a lot of clubs interested, yes, there was a lot of bids in for him.”

“What stopped it?” asked Mike White, from BBC Radio Humberside.

“Tom didn’t want to leave,” McCann said.

The City boss said Eaves wanted to stay and fight for his place, a decision he respected, he said. “I’ve got a really good relationship with Eavsie”, he added.