The Tigers have been plagued by injuries throughout the campaign so far
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
14:00, 25 Dec 2025
Charlie Hughes needed stitches in a head wound against WBA but is OK to be involved on Boxing Day(Image: Pro Sports Images)
Hull City head to Hillsborough on Friday in what will be their penultimate outing of 2025, aiming to inflict more pain on opponents, Sheffield Wednesday.
The Tigers will arrive backed by a sold-out contingent of 3,900 fans who will be desperate to see Sergej Jakirovic’s side maintain their push for promotion.
City were 1-0 winners over West Brom in their final MKM Stadium outing of the calendar year, with Charlie Hughes and Kyle Joseph both taking knocks, but they’ve been cleared to be involved against the Owls.
After 22 of the 46-game season, City sit fourth in the Championship and victory in the Steel City against a side marooned at the bottom and 30 points from safety, would see them clock up a 12th victory.
Their successful first half of the season has been set against a backdrop of key players being sidelined for lengthy spells, which makes the job Sergej Jakirovic and his squad have done all the more impressive.
John Lundstram, Oli McBurnie, Liam Millar, Mo Belloumi, Semi Ajayi, Kasey Palmer and Joe Gelhardt are all among the players who have suffered so far this term.
As 2025 draws to a thrilling close, here’s a look at where City’s squad is out when it comes to players’ injuries and potential return dates…
Kasey Palmer
Injury: Knee
When’s he back? The Jamaican is back now and will feature at some point over the Christmas period.
John Lundstram
Injury: Knee
When’s he back? The influential performer was expected to return to the squad on Boxing Day, but that might be delayed until Middlesbrough on the 29th.
Harvey Cartwright
Injury: Hamstring
When’s he back? The young goalkeeper, who saw his loan spell at Hartlepool earlier in the season end because of injury, is now back in full training.
Joe Gelhardt
Injury: Calf
When’s he back? The in-form forward, who notched eight goals and an assist in 10 games, is expected to be out until the middle of January.
Eliot Matazo
Injury: ACL (knee)
When’s he back? Matazo is back on the grass running and kicking a ball, which is a major boost for him and the Tigers, almost a year on from his injury. It’s expected the Belgian midfielder will be back in and around the squad by the middle of January, perhaps a little later depending on his progress.
Brandon Williams
Injury: Calf
When’s he back? Another calf injury in a season blighted by them, and the full-back who faces an uncertain future at City beyond the end of January, is expected to be back towards the middle of the month.
Matty Jacob
Injury: Knee
When’s he back? The defender’s loan spell at Reading has been cut short because of injury and is currently going through his rehab, with him likely to stay at City in the second half of the season to recover.
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