Hull City: Steve Bruce weighs up options while waiting on Joe Dudgeon's fitness for Peterborough clash
JOE Dudgeon has a major question mark hanging over his fitness as Hull City prepare to welcome Peterborough to the KC Stadium on Saturday.
Dudgeon has been an impressive ever-present for Steve Bruce's side, but suffered a jolt to his knee late in the 3-1 defeat to Leicester last weekend.
-
Joe Dudgeon could be a doubt for Saturday's game against Peterborough after suffering a jolt to the knee against Leicester.
The knock was initially deemed to be a minor concern but the Tigers' medical team took no chances and sent the left-back for precautionary scans on Tuesday.
The results were expected today but Dudgeon is City's biggest injury concern.
We will beat any like for like quote with this voucher or by saying HDM when calling for free quote
Terms: must be new quote or order
Contact: 01482 420497
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
The 21-year-old, who is no stranger to knee injuries from his time with Manchester United, will not be risked if there is any fear of causing further damage, especially given the fixtures against Blackpool next Tuesday and Sheffield Wednesday in nine days.
The doubts will have Bruce sweating ahead of Saturday's clash against the bottom side.
A 3-5-2 shape has allowed the rookie to excel as a left wing-back and his possible absence will leave a void to be filled.
Ahmed Elmohamady was switched from right to left to cover Dudgeon in the closing stages at Leicester, while Liam Rosenior could also be accommodated in an unfamiliar left-sided role.
Andy Dawson, a recognised left-back, will also be considered, but a 3-5-2 formation does not suit his strengths. The League Cup exit at Doncaster, Dawson's last appearance for City, saw him utilised on the left of a three-man defence, with Cameron Stewart as a wing-back.
Bruce will hope Seyi Olofinjana is fit enough to start, after he returned to the subs' bench at Leicester following his hamstring injury. He has not started since the 4-1 win over Millwall.
THE FA has confirmed no disciplinary action will be taken against Bruce following his dismissal at Leicester. He was sent to stands for contesting a decision and will receive an FA letter "reminding him of his responsibilities".
Comments
by Daveinleeds
Friday, September 28 2012, 8:35AM
“A bad spell does equate to a bad team. Posh will come here all guns blazing-- they will be tough to beat . They will be hungry and determined .
We should not be taking anything for granted. I hope SB gets that through to the team that does start. There will no easy games in this league.
In some ways this might be the most difficult team we have played yet. And it is almost impossible to stop players being a bit complacent before games like this.
Still SB knows the score and is more in tune with the team than me.
Come on you Hull
In Steve we Trust”
by BigBillyBilly
Thursday, September 27 2012, 11:08PM
“Tiger_rick,badly missing a bit of sanity and balace post-Leicester,you didn't post a report that I missed did you?”
by MallyHullFC
Thursday, September 27 2012, 2:08PM
“Ohh dear...
http://tinyurl.com/cjo3blb”
by Spain2010
Thursday, September 27 2012, 2:07PM
“All these commets have merit; Posh are in a rut right now so this is the game to rest anyone not 100% - City are much better and are an 'in form team' - there are no easy games in this league and Posh will takes from someone sometime - goal difference might influence the final positions so every goal is a plus. I do worry though as having watched City for 40 years we do always seem to play better against the top teams and have a tendancy to trip up against the struggling teams! That said I predict a home win :-)”
by costatiger
Thursday, September 27 2012, 10:21AM
“Bored _marker. Good comment but must disagree with your last remark "an early goal doesnt mean anything at the moment".Every goal conceeded means something and at the end of the season in a very tight division,what might seem insignificant now,could mean the difference between going up or staying where we are.Although a bad deflection against Bolton and a bad refs decision at Leeds can be excused,add the Leicester game on and that is three times weve given away a goal start,which is definately not a good habit to get into! Another bad trend is getting the job done,then giving a goal away late on through taking your foot off the gas.As i said at the start every goal conceeded counts against you at the end and in this league,you have to be ruthless by taking the weaker teams to the cleaners without mercy and against the better sides,playing it tight and taking your chances when they arrive.Saturday gives us just the chance to exploit the big gap between a true premiership contender and a side that look destined for relegation whilst also boosting our goal difference.The only things we have to overcome is giving a goal start and a banana skin,easy isnt it?????”
by bored_marker
Thursday, September 27 2012, 9:21AM
“It would be quite easy to justify changing the formation given the defeat on the weekend but you would hope that playing Rosenior & Elmo would be a good stop gap solution against a side going through the doldrums.
Its nice to have options though! This City side are 5 x better the side that came down from the Prem and we have the advantage of strength in depth too.
The only real fear is that Posh will press hard early on and catch us napping on that left hand side but as we've shown recently, an early goal doesn't mean anything at the moment.”
by MikeMadrid
Thursday, September 27 2012, 8:56AM
“I think we should rest the lad. Hopefully the defence shouldn't see much of the ball on Saturday. We have the team to really rip into Peterbourough and take advantage of their bad spell. Would be nice to push up the goal average.”