Tribal Football

Hull City given double injury boost ahead of Championship play-off final

Cody Drameh in action for Hull City
Cody Drameh in action for Hull CityMatt Wilkinson/Focus Images Ltd / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

Hull City are only a matter of days away from playing arguably their biggest game in the last decade.

Hull will take on Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium with a place in the Premier League at stake. 

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The Tigers last played at the national stadium in 2016 when they beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0, as Mohamed Diame's strike secured their return to the top-flight. 

That is why supporters were brimming with excitement ahead of their next dance on May 23, although their buzz has been killed by the spygate saga. 

Sergej Jakirovic's side were due to take on Southampton after they prevailed against Boro over two legs in the play-off semi-finals, but after being caught filming the training session ahead of the first leg and admitting to further instances of spying against Oxford United and Millwall, the EFL booted them out in place of Middlesbrough. 

Despite being the only legitimate side to reach Wembley and the innocent party in the whole saga, Hull only had their opponents officially confirmed as Boro yesterday after the Saints' appeals against being kicked out were rejected by the EFL. 

This whole situation has killed the moods of many City fans ahead of the biggest game in English football, but Jakirovic's injury update will at least brighten the mood. 

He confirmed in his pre-match press conference that full-back Cody Drameh and midfielder Amir Hadziahmetovic will be available for selection after injury, while David Akintola's registration has been granted by the EFL after replacing the injured Eliot Matazo. 

"They (Amir and Drameh) are back in training, and they are in good condition, which is also very important," Jakirovic said on his two key players returning. 

Kyle Joseph, meanwhile, will be out for 10 weeks after sustaining an ankle injury in the 2-0 win over Millwall last Monday and has since undergone surgery.