please log in to view this image Mike Phelan will use Wednesday night’s EFL Cup Third Round tie at Stoke City to introduce some fresh legs into the starting line-up. Phelan has selected the same starting eleven for all five of the Tigers’ opening Premier League fixtures so far but with extra options added to the squad since the second round victory at Exeter City last month, the Caretaker Manager is in a better position to shuffle the pack. “We took on Exeter with a side made up mainly of players who had been involved the previous Saturday,” said Phelan. “Now we have a group of players who need games. We have six new players compared to when we played in the last round, plus a few others who need games and we’ll pick a team to face the challenge of Stoke. “The players have committed themselves really well up to this point, but we have to have a look at them physically now and try and recharge. “It’s down to me now as to who starts. I’m confident enough to go with different players and I don’t just mean the players that we’ve brought into the club. There are others who have shown plenty of willing from our U23s, so we will promote a few of those as well.” Ryan Mason, Will Keane and Dieumerci Mbokani will all be hoping for first starts having appeared from the bench recently, while debuts could also be handed to goalkeeper David Marshall, midfielder James Weir and Norwegian international Markus Henriksen. Jake Livermore misses out as he serves a one-match ban following his red card against Arsenal at the weekend. http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/...e-with-stoke-3316505.aspx#5c3rLEujuJDBWp9u.99
Is Josh Tymon fit? If so what about a back 4 of him, Clackstone, Harry and Davies? Marshall in goal, haven't decided on the rest yet.
Stoke team news... Swiss star back in training ahead of EFL Cup tie ASSISTANT MANAGER Mark Bowen has revealed that Xherdan Shaqiri has resumed training ahead of Stoke City's EFL Cup clash with Hull City. The Swiss international, who has missed five games with a calf injury, has put himself in the frame for the third round tie at the bet365 Stadium but Bowen insists Mark Hughes has yet to decide whether or not to hand him the chance to return. Bowen told the media: "Xherdan did a little bit of training on Friday, his first day back, but he's trained with us for the last two days so the manager will have to make a decision. "Is it too early to chuck him in after two proper training sessions? He's a naturally fit lad anyway – he lives his life right – so I don't know how long the process will be before he's in contention for a start but the good news is he is back in training. "He's in the squad for the Hull game. It will be the manager's decision whether he starts him or whether he plays any part or whether we give him another few days. But he's definitely fit and in the squad." Jon Walters is a doubt with a foot injury he sustained in Sunday's defeat at Crystal Palace but Bowen confirmed that Hughes is likely to make wholesale changes to his starting line-up. "I know it's a cliché but you only have the chance to win a few competitions and this is one of them," he added. "Wherever we've been Mark has always tried to go as strong as possible in the League Cup and I would imagine it will be the same again this time around. "He'll sit down with the staff to discuss the team tomorrow but I wouldn't expect too many changes." Jakob Haugaard remains unavailable with a foot injury which could open the way for Lee Grant to make his debut following his deadline day loan move from Derby if Hughes decides to make a change in the goalkeeping department. http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/2016-17/shaq-in-the-frame-3318363.aspx#8R4QeJaR2PxJtYai.99
Sorry - I was going by a report on Vital: http://www.hull.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=461599 Maybe I shouldn't trust Vital?
Mike Phelan is ready to make wholesale Hull City changes at Stoke City please log in to view this image Mike Phelan will have no qualms in making wholesale changes as Hull City aim to book a place in the last 16 of the EFL Cup away to Stoke City tonight. The Tigers travel to the Bet365 Stadium for an all-Premier League tie with Phelan expected to utilise the full depth of a squad strengthened during a productive end to the transfer window. Up to six full debuts could be handed out, while a handful of others are also pushing for inclusion in a starting XI that is yet to change during five Premier League games this season. The majority of the side beaten 4-1 at home to Arsenal are likely to be rested ahead of Saturday's trip to Liverpool in the Premier League and Phelan has placed the emphasis on a collective effort. "We have a huge determination, a great group of players," the caretaker boss said. "The new players have settled in quickly. They are surprised with how quickly. Now we have some massive games coming up so we need to use the squad. "We have a group of players who need games. We have an extra six (players) plus a few others and we can pick a team again now to take that challenge on and we have to bear in mind that we have Liverpool and Chelsea after that." Phelan made seven changes in the second round win away to Exeter City last month, giving debuts to Dusan Kuciak, Greg Olley and Jarrod Bowen in the 3-1 victory. David Marshall, Ryan Mason, Markus Henriksen, James Weir, Will Keane and Dieumerci Mbokani will all hope the EFL Cup provides the stage for their first City starts tonight as the Tigers face a far more difficult assignment at the Bet365 Stadium. Jake Livermore, suspended for his red card against Arsenal at the weekend, is a definite absentee and the heavy work-load taken on by team-mates for over half of that contest will be factored in by Phelan. "The game is all about 11 versus 11 and it was one of those circumstances where we lost a man against probably the best team to keep the ball and penetrate as well. Against ten men, the game fell into Arsenal's hands a little bit. "We must have a look at them physically now and try and recharge and get over the disappointment of Saturday and see where we go against Stoke and Liverpool. "But they are all fit and ready and willing to play and want to play every game. It is my decision now as to who the starting line-up will be and I am confident enough to go with different players. "Now it is just a case of getting all those players up to match speed again because it will not be easy for Liverpool after that and certainly will not be easy against Chelsea. "That is not just players that we have brought into this club. There are others who have shown willing from the under-21s and we will promote a few of them as well." Phelan is again expected to have the title of caretaker boss at the Bet365 Stadium as talks over his future continue. A contract offer was made tot the 53-year-old by the City board at the end of last week but a long-term appointment is yet to be confirmed. http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/mike...tory-29735141-detail/story.html#ixzz4KsYoMgkM
