Hull City

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Hull City goalkeeper Ivor Pandur has been called into the senior Croatia squad for the first time.

The 25-year-old, who has started all 15 of the Tigers' Championship matches this term, has been included in Zlatko Dalic's squad for forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Montenegro.

Pandur has played for Croatia from under-15 level up to U21s and had previously been named as a standby for the senior side.

Croatia lead Group L in Uefa qualification and need just one point from their remaining two games to secure their place at next year's World Cup finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Hull City boss Sergei Jakirovic was impressed with the manner of his side's win over Portsmouth on Saturday lunchtime.

The Tigers edged past Pompey 3-2 in an entertaining match to move into the Championship's play-off places.

After the score was level at half-time, Joe Gelhardt produced a calm and composed finish to dink the ball over keeper Josef Bursik and win the game for the Tigers.

"I'm very pleased with the performance, we played very well for all 90 minutes," Jakirovic told BBC Radio Humberside.

"We controlled most moments on the pitch and scored three beautiful goals and we put a lot of energy and intensity on the pitch.

"The third goal was outstanding, even the pass from Charlie because they had five behind (the ball), but great timing of the run by Joe Gelhardt, first touch amazing and the second touch, I would say like Denis Bergkamp for Arsenal.

"Enis Destan (was brought in), because we expected a lot of long balls, a lot of air challenges, they tried to press us man to man all over the pitch.

"When he arrived he was injured, now he's healthy and I'm pleased to give him the chance, and he used his first appearance, first goal, it cannot be better."

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.

Image source, Opta

Saturday lunchtime brings a big game at both ends of the Championship table as Hull City wlll seek to get their play-off push back on track against lowly Portsmouth (12:30 GMT).

The Tigers went down 2-1 at Derby on Tuesday night to end a six-match unbeaten run from which they claimed 14 points and slipped to 8th, albeit only a point outside the play-off places.

Pompey have gone three games without a goal but did end a run of three straight defeats with an entertaining goalless draw against Wrexham on Wednesday but still slipped to 20th, five points but only two places above the relegation zone.

The Blues have won just once in their past 10 matches, scoring six goals and earning seven points.

• Hull are unbeaten in their past three league meetings with Portsmouth (W1 D2), with their two last season both ending 1-1 – the Tigers haven't gone four without loss against Pompey since 1980 (5 in a row).

• Portsmouth have only lost on one of their past 11 league visits to Hull City (W5 D5), losing 1-0 in September 2011 under Steve Cotterill.

• Hull City have won four of their seven home league games this season (D2 L1) and could already match their win tally from the whole of last season at the MKM stadium (W5 D8 L10).

• Portsmouth have failed to score in each of their past three Championship matches (D1 L2), and could go four in a row without scoring in the second tier for the first time since December 1999 (a run of five).

• Joe Gelhardt has scored eight goals in 15 league starts at home in the Championship for Hull City, and only Norwich City's Josh Sargent (10) has netted more home goals in 2025 than the Leeds United loanee. 11 of his 17 league goals during his career have come in Yorkshire (9 in Hull, 1 in Leeds, 1 in Rotherham).

Hull City forward Joel Ndala says Tuesday's 2-1 Championship loss to Derby was "bittersweet" after scoring his first league goal for the club.

Derby's Carlton Morris opened the scoring in the first half before Ndala's equaliser was rendered in vain by Lars-Jorgen Salvesen's winner for the Rams.

Ndala's only other goal for the club came in the 3-3 draw at Wrexham in the Carabao Cup that the Tigers eventually went on to lose on penalties.

"Obviously we didn't get the result so it's bittersweet," the 19-year-old, on loan from Manchester City, told BBC Radio Humberside.

"It seems to be every time I score we lose the game, just like Wrexham away, but it's part of the game and we have to move on from it.

"It was a lucky goal, I just scrambled and tried to get in at the back post, but I couldn't believe it when I saw it between my legs and I just tried to get it in the back of the net as quickly as I could.

"I'm happy that I was able to celebrate with the away end, it was a good feeling."

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

Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic spoke to BBC Radio Humberside after Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Derby County.

"It's always frustrating when you lose the game, but I think we played very well today," he said. "Especially in the second half when we controlled everything and we scored a nice goal.

"But in the end we unfortunately made two mistakes today and we were punished with two goals. Especially the second one, it's an easy situation. But these things happen in football.

On what he will say to goalkeeper Ivor Pandur after the error that cost Hull: "Head up and we continue. We will go on, because what can you do? You can't change anything. You can just take the lesson from this situation and keep going forward."

Derby County welcome Hull City to Pride Park (19:45 GMT) with both sides in excellent form.

John Eustace's side have won their last three games, having only won once in their opening 10.

Hull are coming into this one after an impressive 2-0 victory over struggling Norwich City on Saturday and sit seventh in the standings with the playoffs in sight already.

• Derby County have won nine of their last 12 league games against Hull City (D2 L1), with their only defeat in that time coming in October 2019 (0-2 away).

• Hull City won three consecutive away games against Derby County between the 2010-11 and 2012-13 campaigns but are winless in six visits to Pride Park in the league since (D1 L5).

• Derby County ended a run of eight home league games without victory (D5 L3) by beating Norwich and QPR 1-0 in their final two home matches of October – the Rams last won three in a row at Pride Park in March/April this year.

• Hull City have lost each of their last five midweek (Tue/Wed/Thu) away games in the Championship without scoring (6 conceded) since a 3-1 win at QPR in October 2024.

• Derby County manager John Eustace has won each of his three meetings with Hull City in the Championship away from home, but has lost both of his two at home by the same 1-0 scoreline (with Birmingham in December 2022 and Blackburn in December 2024).

Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic hailed Joe Gelhardt's character as he overcame a sore ankle to open the scoring in the Tigers' first win at Norwich in 15 years.

Gelhardt shrugged off an ankle knock in the first half to bag his fourth goal in four games in the 2-0 win and Jakirovic is delighted with the on-loan Leeds hitman.

"Joffy's finish was excellent with his weak foot," he told BBC Radio Humberside. "He had also problems with his ankle and he had a kick in the first half.

"I was asking him if he wanted to continue, but he wanted to play. This also shows his character and he wants to play all the time. I'm very, very happy with him and since he's arrived here, his statistics are amazing.

"I must admit, we survived the first half because Norwich were much better than us. At half-time, we changed our shape and from the beginning of the second half, we looked much better. These are a huge three points for us."

Norwich return to Carrow Road seeking their first points of the season at home as Hull City visit on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

The Canaries have lost all six games infront of their own fans under Liam Manning this season in all competitions, are on a five-match losing streak in the Championship and have taken just two points from their past eight games to slip to second-bottom of the table, ahead of only Sheffield Wednesday.

The Tigers, by contrast, are unbeaten in their past five league games, taking 11 points, and sit eighth, only outside the play-off places on goal difference.

• Norwich City are unbeaten across their past five league games against Hull City (W4 D1), scoring 12 goals in total during that time.

• Hull City have won just one of their 13 away league games against Norwich City since 1972 (D3 L9), a 2-0 success at Carrow Road in September 2010.

• Norwich have picked up just eight points through their opening 12 Championship matches this season (W2 D2 L8), their fewest during a second-tier campaign since 2007-08 when they eventually finished 17th (also 8 points).

• Hull have won just one of their past eight away league games (D3 L4), though did win last time out on the road when beating Birmingham City 3-2 at St Andrew's.

• With 20 goals through their opening 12 Championship games, Hull have netted their most goals at this stage of a second-tier campaign since 2017-18 (23).

Image source, PA Media

Hull City forward Liam Miller is facing up to six weeks out with a hamstring injury.

Head coach Sergej Jakirovic confirmed that the Canada international could be out until December after sustaining the injury in last weekend's home draw with Charlton Athletic.

The news is a blow given Miller is only five games into a return following 11 months out with a anterior cruciate ligament injury.

"At least we have two weeks international break, which is good for us, but it is huge in terms of the impact to our team and it is very frustrating for him," Jakirovic told BBC Radio Humberside.

In hindsight, the Hull boss regretted bringing Miller on as a second-half substitute against Charlton.

"He played 90 minutes on Tuesday and got a [new] baby [on] Friday. I think he is emotionally exhausted. He didn't sleep so good," Jakirovic said.

"If I knew that he didn't sleep so much I would never have sent him on the pitch, but what can we do now?"

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic said that it is more "no than yes" as to whether striker Oli McBurnie will be available for Saturday's Championship game against Charlton Athletic.

The 29-year-old has been suffering from a calf injury and missed the victory over Leicester City in the week.

"If you ask Oli, he's ready, he will play but we will see. It's still two days but I have a bad experience from when players are not 100%," Jakirovic told BBC Radio Humberside.

"If he needs to skip some games, it's better to skip."

Captain Lewie Coyle could make his return having spent the match against the Foxes on the bench nursing an ankle issue, but he is unlikely to start, while defender Ryan Giles is "good" after coming off the pitch with a hip problem on Tuesday.

Jakirovic said he feels English football offers less protection from referees compared to officiating in Europe, and that it contributes to the injury issues sustained across the league.

"The referees, they need to protect the players during challenges because this is the reason we have a lot of injuries," he said.

"It's not rugby. I know in England, they like rugby, but for me, it's football-rugby what I saw.

"When I see my strikers in challenge with the centre-backs, they are suffering. It's very difficult to play because they kick you all the time."

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

In-form sides Hull City and Charlton Athletic will compete to go ahead as they meet at the MKM Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Both teams currently possess 18 points, with the Addicks two places above the seventh placed Tigers due to goal difference.

But Hull are on a four match unbeaten streak, winning their past three, and will be eager to break into that top six.

• Hull City have won just three of their last 13 league games against Charlton Athletic (D5 L5), though all three have come on home soil during that time.

• Charlton Athletic have lost three of their last four away league games against Hull City (W1), one more than across their prior 16 such matches combined between October 1929 and October 2007.

• Hull have won each of their last two home league games and will be looking to win three in succession for the first time since November 2023.

• Charlton won their last away league game 3-0 vs Ipswich in midweek; they haven't won successive away league games whilst netting 3+ goals in the process since May 2014.

• Joe Gelhardt has either scored (2) or assisted (1) each of Hull's last three Championship goals; it's more goal involvements than in his previous 11 league games (2).

Hull City assistant boss Dean Holden said Tuesday's Championship win over Leicester was "very, very pleasing".

Two first-half goals, including Liam Millar's excellent strike on his first start in just under a year, saw them earn their third straight league victory.

"It's a great result, three wins on the spin is a fantastic week for us," Holden told BBC Radio Humberside.

"It was always going to be a tough game against one of the favourites for promotion.

"I thought we started really well, we created chances early, and anyone who was in the stadium to witness Liam Millar's goal will know it was fantastic.

"We have scored some really good goals recently, but that second one was as good as any. There was really quick play to get beyond them and Joe Gelhardt is exactly where you'd want him to be.

"I thought we could have had the game sewn up, and in the second half the game got stretched. But it was a performance full of grit and desire, a very pleasing performance."

Hull City are going for three league victories in a row for the first time since the start of October last year.

Leicester's only Championship defeat so far this season came in their first away game of the campaign at Preston North End.

• Hull have only won two of their past nine league meetings with Leicester City (D3 L4), with the most recent ending 2-2 in March 2024.

• Leicester have only won one of their past five league trips to Hull City (D2 L2), winning 1-0 in the Premier League in December 2014.

• After their 1-0 win over Sheffield United, Hull could win back-to-back home league games for only the second time since the start of last season, last doing so in March.

• Leicester have won as many of their five away games in the Championship this season (2) as they managed in 19 on the road in the Premier League last term.

• Hull's Oli McBurnie has been directly involved in 15 goals in his past 14 home league games in English football, scoring 10 and assisting another five. McBurnie scored in both of his two previous home league matches against Leicester as a Sheffield United player.

Hull City goalkeeper Ivor Pandur hopes his club performances will be enough to earn him a spot in the Croatia squad for the 2026 World Cup.

The 25-year-old has played throughout the age group levels for Croatia but is up against the likes of experienced international Dominik Livakovic to find a place in the senior national squad.

"Every day you wake up you have this [World Cup] in the back of your mind," Pandur told BBC Radio Humberside.

"I have to give everything to have no regrets. If I end up there it is great, if not I will just work even harder.

"There are keepers that have been there for a number of years, so it is not easy to get in. I just hope my performances will be enough for me to get a place."

Pandur has kept two clean sheets for The Tigers this season, having conceded 16 goals in nine league games.

Hull beat Sheffield United 1-0 before the international break and travel to Birmingham City on Saturday looking for another three points to break an unwanted run.

The Tigers have not won back-to-back games in over a year - the last time was in October 2024 when they they beat Cardiff and QPR .

"Our goal for every game is to win and to give our best," Pandur said. "It is a game of fine margins, as we know.

"It is why we train so hard to win games, and to get good momentum going forward."

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