Jack Hobbs makes Hull City return after seven months out injured (updated)
JACK Hobbs took a huge stride back towards the Hull City ranks today as he got his first taste of action in over seven months.
The 24-year-old came through 29 minutes with no problems in a behind-closed-doors friendly fixture at Peterborough this afternoon.
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Hull City's Jack Hobbs in training
Hobbs overcame a sickness bug that kept him out of training yesterday to come on as a second-half substitute in a 1-1 draw.
Hobbs had been sidelined since March 31 when he suffered cruciate ligament damage in his right knee during the Tigers' 2-0 home defeat to Coventry City.
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Surgery soon ruled the centre-back out for up to nine months, but he is set to give City boss Steve Bruce a boost by returning to first-team action ahead of schedule in the coming weeks.
The run-out at Peterborough this afternoon comes after spending the last two weeks in full contact training with his City team-mates.
And although a Championship comeback will have to wait for another fortnight, a first chance to sharpen match-fitness will have been relished by Hobbs.
City reserves' fixture at home to Gateshead next Wednesday could offer another opportunity and, providing complications can be avoided, the defender may be back in contention either for City's home game with Crystal Palace in a fortnight or at Nottingham Forest on December 1.
Bruce was at the match in Peterborough today to see Hobbs in action for the firs time since his summer appointment and will be thrilled to see another talented option bolstering his defensive ranks.
Hobbs played every minute of the 2011-12 Championship season until injury struck in March and his partnership with James Chester arguably stood as City's greatest strength of last term.
Although Bruce has strengthened in Hobbs' absence by recruiting defenders Abdoulaye Faye and son Alex, as well as bringing Paul McShane in from the cold, the return of the Tigers' one-time captain will be celebrated with 10 league games to negotiate in the next six weeks.
Eldin Jakupovic, who is hoping to convince Bruce he deserves a Championship debut, also turned out this afternoon.
The Bosnian-born Swiss international has so far been limited to a handful of unused substitute appearances since he arrived on a free transfer this summer.
A lack of form from regular number one Ben Amos has offered Jakupovic an opening ahead of this weekend's trip to Birmingham City and Bruce has admitted a change is under consideration this week.
Amos, who is expected to line up for England under-21s against Northern Ireland at Blackpool tonight, finds his position under question after another mistake contributed to City's 2-1 loss at Cardiff this weekend.
The 22-year-old has so far played every minute of the Tigers' season.
However, Jakupovic had few saves to make in today's game and could do nothing about the home team's goal.
Seyi Olofinjana and veteran defender Andy Dawson also played today.
Comments
by BigBillyBilly
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 10:59PM
“Valencian,let's just do what all us Tigers fans do,and dream! Is Hobbs in your dream team as we line up at the KC next August,Man U first up? Listen,I appreciate everyone's desire to take one step at a time,but I've had a beer and my mind is thinking ahead,damn it,as should the Managements'.......sorry to single out Jack Hobbs,we know he has a namesake who was a brilliant batsman for England,but thinking of the Tigers I just find myself making a case for every other squad member bar Jack Hobbs being a Premier League player.McKenna and Olofinjana are maybe getting too old,though both are still effective now.
Mind you,if Jack Hobbs' can tighten up our porous defence right now he will have earned by right a tip at the Premier League,I just find him a rather wooden player in a very supple team.
May the red arrows rain down on my hypothesis......x”
by FodTiger
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 11:39AM
“Having attending my first game at Cardiff on Saturday, I can fully understand the majority of supporters concerns regarding Ben Amos. He isn't decisive enough nor does he command his area well enough having said that though he is only a young lad and these traits will be improved upon with time so he shouldn't be scrutinised too much for this. One thing he does need to get out of his system sooner rather than later though, in my opinion anyway, is his constant need to punch the ball. Balls come in which he should come to claim comfortably but he consistently opts to try to punch clear, and thats a dangerous game to play, it could've cost us even more on Saturday when he missed with a couple of them. It's a tough one because it could knock his confidence if Jakupovic comes in, or it could kick him up the backside a bit when his next chance comes along. It will certainly test his character either way.
Great news on Hobbs though, brilliant to know he's back kicking a ball again and hopefully it won't be too long until he's forcing his way back into City's starting eleven.
All the best Jack!”
by valencian
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 10:31AM
“Billy first things first lets get to the Premier legue before we answer that question.”
by BigBillyBilly
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 1:23AM
“Jack Hobbs seems to be a leader,though I'm not sure if he's the nagging,always on your case version that Ian Ashbee was.We need that,because this team still lacks that defining urgency,I feel.
I must now pile heresy upon heresy,but is Jack Hobbs Premier League standard,in truth? We had to ditch another really good Championship defender last time round,Wayne Brown,when his lack of speed was rapidly exposed.Is Jack Hobbs good enough if we make it to the Premier League?”
by Tiger_Adam
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 10:28PM
“Brilliant news, 4th in the table without our top scorer from last season. And now Hobbs is back who some fans called player of the season last year, heads up playoffs here we come!”
by SnothillBaz
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 4:24PM
“Maybe Steve Bruce will bring back Emile Sinclair on the team bus this evening?”
by valencian
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 1:51PM
“Oh dear Buckinghams campaign against Amoss continues. Other players have made mistakes too but we don´t read about those now we can expect to be reminded on a daily basis of every mistake he makes, or at least every mistake Buckingham thinkis he has made. It makes you wonder how we ever won a game with him in goal.”
by hull_tiger
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 9:12AM
“i dont like the sound of playing Crystal Palace with Amos in goal !!! In fact, I dont like the sound of playing Crystal Palace at all”
by JH1311
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 8:32AM
“great news, arguably one of our top defenders and having him fit will be nothing but good
UTT!”
by Ambertigerfan
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 8:25AM
“Give Jakupovic a go at Birmingham. Why sign him if he's not worthy of a start? He may well take his opportunity as per Simpson and McShane!”