Tigers take pragmatic view as they keep Bowler’s service
HULL CITY have responded to the Championship’s June 20 restart date by extending Josh Bowler’s loan until the end of the season.
Bowler is one of five players on loan along with Herbie Kane, Marcus Maddison, Matt Pennington and Mallik Wilks.
With the season due to extend to the end of July, clubs have a decision to make about whether or not to try to extend their loans, and the contracts which are due to expire at the end of this month.
Hull have warned the Football League they planned to vote against rules allowing players to be re-signed on short-term extensions until the end of the campaign, but their decision on Bowler – whose loan was due to expire at the end of the May – suggests pragmatism might dictate otherwise.
Remaining with Hull City until Championship campaign is completed.
Last week, the Tigers announced they had come to an agreement to cancel striker Norbert Balogh’s contract with immediate effect.
Winger Bowler, 21, has made 11 starts and 15 substitute appearances in all competitions this season, scoring at Fulham in November, but missed the last 10 matches through injury before matches were suspended due to coronavirus on March 13. The lay-off has allowed a number of serious injuries to heal, and brought players whose season was thought to be over back into the equation.
Hull’s 2019-20 season is set to resume on June 20 with a crucial match at home to Charlton. Defeat will see the Tigers drop into the relegation zone, and the Addicks move out of it.
In all, Hull have nine matches to play, and the League’s aim is to get them completed in time for play-offs culminating in a final “on or around” July 30.
Dan Batty, Nouha Dicko, Markus Henriksen, Jackson Irvine, Stephen Kingsley, Eric Lichaj, Angus MacDonald, Robbie McKenzie, Kevin Stewart and Jon Toral are out of contract this season.