Young Tigers given cup opportunities
MANAGER Nigel Adkins will again turn to youth tonight as Hull City host Derby County in the first of two meetings with Frank Lampard’s men inside five days.
The Tigers edged past Sheffield United on penalties in the last round as young trio Adam Curry, Robbie McKenzie and Brandon Fleming all justified their selection on a night when Adkins made nine changes.
“There will be changes across the board just as we did against Sheffield United,” said Adkins, whose side welcome Derby to the KCOM Stadium again on Saturday in the Championship.
“I kept ‘ Marshy’ (David Marshall) in goal (at Bramall Lane), but there is a good chance George Long is going to go and play.
“I am very mindful that there are players who need games and to push for opportunities to play again in the league. We have got a small group of players and they all know they are going to be playing.
“Their attitudes have been spot on throughout pre-season and in training, and I am sure they will keep developing.”
One enforced change is Evandro dropping out of the side following his dismissal at Stoke City in the weekend defeat. The Brazilian will serve a one-game ban after collecting two yellow cards.
Jackson Irvine, the scorer of two goals in the Championship win at Rotherham United a week ago, is also expected to be missing for Hull with the thigh injury that kept the Australian out against the Potters. DONCASTER ROVERS’ manager Grant McCann believes patience will be key if opposition teams continue to defend in numbers at the Keepmoat Stadium this term.
Back-to-back goalless draws on home soil mean Rovers go into tonight’s Carabao Cup second round tie with Blackpool determined not only to progress, but also to get back among the goals.
“At times we will have to be patient because teams are showing us a bit of respect by dropping deep at the Keepmoat,” said McCann, who will be without the suspended Marko Marosi following his red card in the weekend stalemate with Portsmouth.
“We want to win the game because we are at home. We are focused on winning because it would be nice to get a decent draw. That is the carrot, drawing a big team home or away. Obviously, away would be good financially for the club.
“We want to go as far as we can, but we have to perform first against Blackpool.”
Rovers, who narrowly lost at Arsenal in last year’s third round, take on a Seasiders outfit still under the temporary charge of Terry McPhillips following Gary Bowyer’s exit in the first week of the season.
“They have had a topsy turvy start with the manager leaving,” added McCann, who could start Peterborough loanee Jermaine Anderson. “But sometimes that galvanises you as a group.”