Jones back in contention as Tigers prepare for last home game of season against Swans
By Simon Bristow
Defender Alfie Jones is fit and available for selection as Hull City prepare for their final home game of the season against Swansea on Saturday.
Boss Liam Rosenior also revealed forward Ryan Longman is “not far away” from a return, but gave no update on loan striker Aaron Connolly, who has been out with illness.
Asked about injury news at a press conference at the club’s Cottingham training ground today, Rosenior said: “Yeah, looking OK. Nothing really new to report. Alfie will be back available, which is great for us because he’s been a real bright spot for us in the season. Ryan Longman’s not far away.
“So we’re looking in a good place. I’m happy with the squad. For all of the injuries we’ve had we’re putting in really, really good performances, getting decent results, so we’ll go again with what we’ve got.”
With Saturday’s visitors to the MKM Stadium still with an outside chance of forcing their way into the play-offs in the Sky Bet Championship, Rosenior’s men will face a tough test as they aim to sign off on a high in front of their home fans in what is expected to be another attendance topping 20,000.
Asked about the importance of sending the fans home happy and building a platform for next season, the head coach said: “One hundred per cent. There’s real momentum at the football club at the moment, on and off the pitch. Our attendances are going through the roof.
“And what’s been great since the Rotherham game [0-0 home draw on April 1] is they’ve come consistently, we’ve been going over 20,000 – now that’s a real marker and an indicator of where everybody feels that the club is going. I want to make sure that we’re getting 23,000 and 24,000 next season.
“We’ve got a team that the fans of this wonderful city are proud to watch. I want to be successful next year, so giving them a taste of success now brings them back in the summer and brings them back to what will hopefully be a successful season next year.”
Although the Tigers will have one final outing at promotion-chasing Luton on May 8, Rosenior said he would meet all players next week to give them clarity about their futures.
He said: “That will happen midweek next week. We’ve got scheduled meetings with every player, not just out of contract players but every player in the squad needs to know where they stand, how they can improve, where they’ve done really, really well, so when they go away in the summer, and they need that break, they know exactly what they’re coming back into and what standards are going to be expected from them in terms of their fitness, in terms of their nutrition, in terms of their performance, for next season.”
City are 15th in the table with 56 points from 44 matches. Swansea are six points better off in 12th.