Giles, Hirakawa and Matazo back in City squad for crucial week

OPTIONS: Sergej Jakirović at today’s press conference

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

Hull City have been handed a huge boost ahead of the visit of Birmingham City on Saturday with Ryan Giles, Yu Hirakawa, Eliot Matazo, Akin Famewo, Toby Collyer and Lewis Koumas all available for selection.

The Tigers entertain the Blues at the start of a pivotal week in their hunt for a play-off place that also features trips to relegation-threatened Leicester on Tuesday and Charlton the following Saturday.

The final match of the regular Championship season is a home game against Norwich on Saturday, May 2.

City currently lie sixth in the Championship table on 68 points, four above Wrexham in seventh and five above Derby in eighth.

After a disappointing 2-1 loss at Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United last time out – the Tigers having led through a superb early Oli McBurnie strike – head coach Sergej Jakirović said there was only one thing to aim for on Saturday – three points.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference today, he said: “We move forward, we have four games to go, and now Saturday is a very important game for us. If you want to achieve something you have to take three points, no matter who is the opponent.”

He added: “We are in a fantastic position and we create our own destiny.”

On key defender Giles, Jakirović said: “Ryan Giles trained with us. He joined the group this week from Monday so he will be available for this game. It’s a big boost but also it’s a lot of weeks off the pitch, so… But we don’t have any time so we have to manage every player.”

BIG WEEK AHEAD: The club’s training ground in Cottingham

On impressive winger Hirakawa, he said: “Yu Hirakawa is with us, no pain, nothing. He trained normally so he will be available.”

He said Collyer and Koumas were “good”, adding: “They are in training so tomorrow I will decide everything but they are available, which is good for us.”

Midfielder Matazo played 60 minutes with the Under-21s midweek, and the manager said of his prospects: “Everything is fine, he will be also available for this game so we will see. He will be in the squad.”

Full back Matty Jacob is ruled out, having taken a kick on a previous injury in the same Under-21s match.

Injury-hit midfielders Regan Slater and Darko Gyabi will not feature on Saturday, although Slater may come into contention for the trip to Charlton.

Centre-back Charlie Hughes is available despite a hernia problem, but Jakirović confirmed full-back Cody Drameh was out for the season.

Whatever City’s fate this season it has been a brilliant first campaign under Jakirović, his first in England, and with the club being restricted in recruitment by a two-window transfer embargo.

The Bosnian’s achievements were recognised when he was shortlisted for Championship Manager of the Season last week.

The winner will be announced in London on Sunday and Jakirović revealed he had visited city tailors Leonard Silver to buy a suit for the ceremony.

He said: “It’s a big honour for me, first season in the Championship. I think I adapted good and that I know much more now than when I arrived at the club, and for example for the next season I know exactly what we need.”

Asked where he had bought his suit, the manager said: “Leonardo Silver. Which street is that? Long years ago they were sponsors of the club. Very professional, nice people, and easy with my broken English.”