Hull City injury and fitness latest ahead of crunch Sheffield United clash
Hull City head coach Tim Walter will run the rule over international duo Liam Millar and Kasey Palmer on Thursday to assess whether or not the pair are fit enough to start against Sheffield United on Friday evening at the MKM Stadium, while explaining Steven Alzate needs to get fit after his arrival earlier this week.
Millar played 77 minutes on Tuesday night as Canada drew 0-0 with Mexico in Arlington, Texas, while Palmer played 65 minutes in Kingston as Jamaica beat Honduras 1-0 on the same night.
Both players also played over the weekend for their respective countries and face long-haul flights back to England with the pair due back at training on Thursday ahead of Friday's Yorkshire derby date with the Blades.
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Millar has been an ever-present in City's starting XI since his arrival ahead of the season opener last month, while Palmer made his debut off the bench at Leeds United before the international break after arriving on transfer deadline day.
Elsewhere, Walter has received positive news with both Ryan Longman and Dogukan Sinik returning to light training after their respective injuries. Young defender Andy Smith, though, continues his recovery from an ankle problem. The trio aren't expected back and available for selection this side of next month's break.
"Hopefully they will be back tomorrow (Thursday)," Walter told Hull Live as he prepares to tackle the Blades and seek his first victory as Tigers boss.
"Maybe they have not the freshness to start, but they have enough intensity and enough power to come from the bench and to bring an impact for us because they are good boys and they try to keep us working, and they try to bring us to the success and that's the reason why I'm happy that they will be back tomorrow."
Apart from the ongoing issues, Walter says his players have not picked up any fresh problems during the defeat at Leeds United last time out, or during the two-week break. "Not at the moment," he explained. "All the players are really fit and fresh for Friday evening."
Longman is recovering well after his shoulder surgery and like Sinik, is back on the grass working with the fitness coaches away from the main group, while Smith continues his rehab in the gym.
"It's top," he said. "It's getting better and better for Ryan. He's on the pitch, yes, but without contact. He's happy to be here again and he's looking forward. We could need him, but, unfortunately, he's a few weeks off (being available). If he's back, he's a big impact for us.
"He's (Sinik) also on the pitch, but not with the team working with the ball. I can't be sure when he's back for the team, so it's hard for me, so maybe it's better to speak with the medical staff, but soon he will be able to have an impact for us as well. Andy's still injured and still inside (in the gym). It's not that far away, soon he will be back."
Walter also suggested the club's latest signing, Steven Alzate, won't be ready to start the game having only arrived in the past few days.
"He's a good footballer, technically, he's really, really perfect but he's not fit at the moment. He's not fit and he needs another few weeks, but you can see in the first sessions that he is a brilliant player and he will bring us a big impact."