Clement Sub – Only A Precaution

Neil Clement’s late substitution at Grimsby Town was only a precaution with the defender declaring himself fit to start on Saturday.

The West Brom man is in direct competition with Simon Walton for a starting place on Saturday following the suspension of Michael Turner. However, it is not only Hull who have selection problems, with Bristol City also suffering through suspension following the red card shown to Bradley Orr during their win over Colchester United.

Clement and Walton both featured against Grimsby Town last night in a match that was supposed to decide who starts on Saturday, but Brown is keeping his decision a secret up until Saturday’s match.

Neil Clement’s loan move, which is still not official on Hull’s OWS, was only completed today after the club received special dispensation to field the West Brom man in yesterday’s reserve fixture. With league clubs only allowed to loan players for 93 days, and with uncertainty still over the play-off final date, the club did not want to sign someone who could potentially not feature in the play-offs should the club make it that far.

The current play-off game is scheduled for the 24th May, but with this likely to move to the traditional bank holiday Monday, Clement wouldn’t have been allowed to feature if he had joined a week ago.

There is very little to choose between both players, with neither being the outstanding choice to replace Michael Turner, and the City fans can only hope whoever is chosen steps up to the plate when Saturday calls.