Tigers err on side of caution with Batty

DAN Batty will again be missing when Hull City travel to Reading tomorrow, but Nigel Adkins is hopeful his young midfielder will be back for the visit of Middlesbrough seven days later.

Batty (pictured) suffered a knee injury in City’s 2-0 win over Ipswich Town last weekend, ruling him out of Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat away to Wigan Athletic.

The trip to Reading will also come too soon for the 20-year-old as City err on the side of caution, but Adkins has allayed any fears that Batty could be facing a long-term absence.

“He’s on a treadmill we’ve got that takes a bit of gravity off so he’s running on that,” said Adkins.

“Hopefully he keeps progressing. He won’t make the weekend but hopefully he can join in training again through some part of the following week.

“We’ll see where we are then for Middlesbrough, Leeds United and Sheffield United.”

Batty’s injury will likely leave Adkins to choose between Kevin Stewart and Jackson Irvine as a midfield partner for Markus Henriksen.

Stewart got the nod in midweek with his first league start since New Year’s Day, but Irvine, who was used on the left wing at the DW Stadium, previously got the nod alongside City’s captain during Batty’s previous lay-off last month.

Adkins is again expected to make a number of alterations at Reading after resting key personnel in the defeat to Wigan.

Fraizer Campbell (pictured) and Evandro had previously been ever-presents in City’s attacking line this season but both were overlooked in midweek as Adkins instead opted for an attacking line of Chris Martin and Nouha Dicko.

”I left Fraizer Campbell and Evandro out but they’ve started all the games for us,” said Adkins. “I brought Chris Martin and Nouha Dicko in and we started the game exactly as I wanted to start.

“Fraizer and Evandro have done exceptionally well for us.

“They work so hard for the team and they’ll be in contention for the weekend again.

“They’ve been exceptional with their work rate but last year they had injury problems. We managed Fraizer a hell of a lot last year because of his physical situation.

“They’ve had a full pre-season and look in great nick, and I want them to keep buzzing.

“The other night I thought it would be right (to rest them). But we’ve got a squad now and that’s what it’s for.

“We didn’t get the result the other night but that’s not to say I wouldn’t do the same again on the next occasion.”