Slutsky has big calls to make over Hull line-up
HAVING publicly questioned Hull City’s mettle in the wake of their last outing on the road, manager Leonid Slutsky has warned his side tonight will bring a “serious” test of character.
The Tigers, fresh from ending a damaging three-game losing run that had prompted captain Michael Dawson to suggest the club are embroiled in a relegation scrap for the second year running, head to Millwall.
Slutsky may be relatively new to English football, but he is well aware of the hostile reception that is likely to await his players in South London.
It means there can be no repeat of the collapse from 17 days ago at Sheffield United, when Hull saw a half-time lead turn into a 4-1 hammering come the final whistle.
“In this situation for us this will be the best test,” said Slutsky. “This is more a test of our character than our quality. Everybody knows how difficult it is to play at Millwall in an away match, but we are ready. It will be very tough, very difficult. It’s a serious test for us and for our character.”
Slutsky has a couple of big decisions to make when naming his line-up.
Fraizer Campbell returns to the squad after suspension to challenge Nouha Dicko, who scored in Saturday’s draw with Ipswich Town, for a starting role-up front, while Seb Larsson serves a one-game ban after collecting a fifth yellow card of the season. David Meyler may return in place of the Swede. IT IS not just on the field that Doncaster Rovers are being afforded positives, but in the treatment room too.
After some well-documented injury ills so far this term, the clouds are beginning to part for manager Darren Ferguson, whose side are in a nice vein of form ahead of tonight’s trip to second-placed Wigan Athletic.
The Rovers’ chief has revealed that marquee summer arrival Alex Kiwomya, yet to feature since joining due to a back injury, is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation, and Alfie May is likely to return to training in ten days following a hernia issue, which did not require surgery.
Luke McCullough is making progress too and set to be in the fray at the start of the new year, while Ross Etheridge is also improving.
On the news regarding exCrewe player Kiwomya, Ferguson said: “He is kicking on really well.
“It has been tough for him because at one point, admittedly, we felt that was it and he had to cope with that. But he has got his head around that and he can see light at the end of the tunnel.”
Rovers head over the Pennines with a five-match unbeaten streak to their credit and while the Latics present formidable opponents, Ferguson’s glass is very much half-full.
“For me, they have got the best squad in the league. It will be tough, but I would like to think we have some good players, as well,” Ferguson added.