Mccann issues challenge to fill Smallwood void

CITY BOSS WANTS STAR TO STEP UP AS SKIPPER COVER

HULL City head coach Grant Mccann has challenged his midfielders to step into the void left by Richie Smallwood.

The Tigers’ skipper looks set to miss the rest of the season after picking up a medial ligament injury in the shock 1-0 defeat to Burton Albion last Saturday.

City altered their shape to accommodate Smallwood’s absence against Lincoln on Tuesday, with Greg Docherty, George Honeyman and Dan Crowley operating as a midfield three, while Josh Emmanuel was brought in on the right side of midfield.

Having seen Dan Batty move to Fleetwood, and with Callum Jones and Alfie Jones also out injured, resources are light, though Mccann says the challenge is for one of his other midfielders to grasp the opportunity.

“We played with Honeyman, Docherty and Crowley as three midfielders and I thought it did work. I thought those three were excellent in the game,” he said. “We’ve also got Jordan Flores and Regan Slater, and Alfie Jones, Callum Jones coming back and we’ve got Max Clark who can play as a midfielder.

“We’ve got options in midfield. It’s disappointing to lose Richie because of the importance he brings to the team, but this is the reason why we’ve got a good squad. It’s an opportunity for someone else,” the City chief said.

“We’re fortunate that we haven’t picked up any injuries from it. A couple of little bumps and bruises, but nothing that is going anybody out of any games.”

There was also encouraging news on the fitness of the Jones duo, Gavin Whyte and Tom Eaves.

“Alfie is close to returning, he’s been out on the grass the last three or four days with the fitness coaches and building up his fitness levels,” said Mccann.

“Callum Jones is very close as well. Tom Eaves and Gavin Whyte are probably a couple of weeks away.”

However, he has not completely ruled out a return for influential midfielder Smallwood.

Scans revealed on Monday that the 30-year-old had sustained significant damage to his medial ligament. He underwent further tests yesterday to determine what happens next.

“Richie we know we are probably keep going to lose for the best part of the season,” Mccann told the BBC at his pre-mk Dons press conference.

“Richie has got a follow-up appointment with a specialist to see if he needs a little tidy up in there but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that he doesn’t and that we can manage it remotely.

“It all depends on what the specialist says. It’s a medial knee ligament injury. There’s also a little bit attached to the bottom of his knee that he’s done some damage to as well, so it’s a bit of a complicated one.

“But, with someone like Richie Smallwood, I wouldn’t put it past him to be back for the end of the season because of the mindset and mentality that he’s got. But, it is a severe injury and we’ll know a bit more later.”