Tigers set for changes

Posted Wednesday, September 23, 2009 by PA

Hull are likely to make a number of changes for the Carling Cup third-round tie against Everton at the KC Stadium.

Veteran George Boateng is in line for a recall after three games as an unused substitute while Craig Fagan is back in contention after being dropped for the weekend loss to Birmingham.

On-loan Stoke defender Ibrahima Sonko is cup-tied and the game is again likely to be too soon for knee injury victim Anthony Gardner.

Youngsters Tom Cairney, Liam Cooper, Nicky Featherstone and Will Atkinson, who all played in the second-round win over Southend, could all feature.

Saturday's demoralising defeat by Birmingham has left the Tigers 19th in the table with only four points from six games.

The club's poor league run now stretches to just two wins from their last 28 matches and supporters are beginning to voice their disquiet with the team and manager Phil Brown.

With a daunting trip to Liverpool at the weekend, Brown has emphasised the importance of a good midweek performance against the other half of Merseyside.

Brown is expected to make a number of changes for the clash at the KC Stadium but believes progress to the fourth round could provide a timely confidence boost.

"You want Saturday out of your system because we just didn't perform," said Brown's number two Brian Horton.

"It was a crucial match and in games like that you have got to have seven or eight performing. We probably had two or three.

"We only dropped in the bottom three once last year and now we are in it.

"It might give us all a kick up the backside. We've now got to play Everton at home and they [players] should be relishing it.

"If you can't raise your game for that, you shouldn't be here."

Everton midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov comes into contention after suffering a groin strain helping the team beat AEK Athens in the Europa League.

Manager David Moyes could freshen up his squad and new arrival Lucas Neill is available after signing a one-year deal.

Louis Saha has the capability of scoring up to 30 goals a season, according to Everton assistant manager Steve Round.

The former Manchester United striker heads into the Carling Cup tie on the back of a brace in the victory over Blackburn at the weekend.

Everton are hoping the 31-year-old stays injury-free in their bid to build up a head of steam after a poor start.

Round said: "If you look at Louis' record of goals per game, he is up there with the best of them. If he plays 30 games, he will maybe get you 15 goals.

"If he wants to, and he continues his good form, there is no reason why he cannot get 20-30 goals a season.

"Louis has the capability as he has the talent. But only time will tell what total he will reach.

"He loves to train and work hard. He is very self-critical if he doesn't play well.

"I think being around our place has helped him. For him to enjoy his football and feel wanted is very important.

"There is a great camaraderie in the dressing room and Louis is known as 'The King'. He is a fantastic guy."

Saha's double against Blackburn took his tally to six goals in all competitions.

The smile was back on the Frenchman's face after he was given a straight red card last week in the victory over AEK Athens in the Europa League.

Everton are keen Saha does not suffer burn-out given the player's injury history but Round confirmed he was in contention to face Hull.

Round said: "Sometimes we think three games a week might be too much for Louis, depending on who we play.

"We want to keep him as fit as we can. It's a marathon and we would like to see him maybe play as many as 40-50 games.

"We took him off on Sunday, so he will be in contention. Then we have a trip to Portsmouth on Saturday, so perhaps this is one week he could play all three games."