Hull City must consider major change to transfer plan to avoid potential problem

City’s squad is looking threadbare given the number of players unavailable

The arrival of Billy Sharp at the beginning of January was heralded – and rightly so – as a clever piece of transfer business. It was risk-free, on a short-term deal for a player that still has the hunger to succeed.

Sharp coming in gave Liam Rosenior three strikers and important cover for Aaron Connolly and Liam Delap, should anything happen to the pair.

Unfortunately for City, and as is the theme of the past month, Delap picked up a knee injury that may yet prove terminal and end his season. We hope it won’t, but should the ongoing prognosis ultimately suggest the 20-year-old needs surgery then that will be his campaign over.

As it is, he will miss the next two months at best case scenario and at worst, three months or more. That takes us well into April and into the final knockings of the season before he can be considered for selection.

Before Aaron Connolly almost had his head removed from its shoulders by Angus Gunn on Friday evening, the Irishman had already gone down twice holding his foot. It’s clearly an area of significant weakness and will continue to be so. Every time he clutches his foot, you’re wincing and worrying that he will be going off and facing a spell out.