Barmby and McPhee Set For Return

Stephen McPhee and Nick Barmby are both hopeful of returning for the Tigers next match on Saturday against Burnley.

Both players were absent from the team that produced a dismal display against Leicester City as the Tigers crashed to a 2-1 home defeat.

Despite going in-front through a Craig Fagan goal on the stroke of half-time, two second half goals from Leicester left the Tigers five points adrift from safety. With McPhee and Barmby missing from the squad, the onus was on Michael Bridges and Nicky Forster to get City the goals. However, both men failed to impress on a day where no player wearing the black and amber of Hull City stood out.

Barmby has missed the last two games with a groin injury sustained against Cardiff City whilst Stephen McPhee missed out after hobbling off midway through the first half against Leeds United. The last time these two players both featured, City demolished Cardiff City 4-1. In the last two games, City have only recorded one point, and with another home game on Saturday, City must record all three if relegation is to be avoided.

Nick Barmby was rated as 50/50 to feature against Leicester City on Boxing Day but after not featuring, the former England player is expected to regain his place in the team that plays Burnley on Saturday. McPhee is also expected to feature at some point of the game.

Striker Jon Parkin is also in contention having recovered from an ankle injury that saw ‘the Beast’ out of contention for six weeks. The striker came on as a second half substitute but failed to make an impact. A glorious chance fell to Parkin shortly after Danny Coles’ was dismissed, but Parkin shot straight at the keeper from point blank range.

With Burnley yet again being a must win game, as will every other game this season, City need their best players on the park. We need Nick Barmby and Stephen McPhee back sooner rather than later.