Crooks could delay surgery until end of season

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic has confirmed that midfielder Matt Crooks may be able to postpone surgery for a chest issue until the end of the season.

The 31-year-old injured his chest after slipping during the win against Leicester City in October but has started the Tigers past three matches and could continue to play through the problem until May.

"We have a specialist who is the best in this area... he's told [the club] that he can postpone the surgery - he can do it after the season or whenever he [Crooks] wants," Jakirovic told BBC Radio Humberside.

"It's about Matt and I will respect every decision. If he wants go [into] surgery, I will respect this, but right now he feels fine and he's playing good."

The news comes as a bright spot for a team that is being hampered with numerous injuries as of late, with seven first-team players currently in the recovery room.

"What is most important for me is that they are all fine after this game [the loss to Derby], because after every game we are losing one or two players," the Bosnian added.

"I'm wondering when we will be a full team, how we will be. I'm waiting for this day and I'm buzzing that, after international break, we will have two or three more options."

Listen to the full interview with Jakirovic and more Hull City content on BBC Sounds.