Hull City vs Manchester City - Ryan Mason set for Hull return against Manchester City
Posted Saturday, December 24, 2016 by PA
Hull midfielder Ryan Mason is expected to shake off a knock in time for the Boxing Day visit of Manchester City.
Mason will be back in contention after missing last week's defeat at West Ham, but striker Abel Hernandez is still another fortnight away from a return to action after being sidelined since early November due to a groin injury.
Tigers head coach Mike Phelan has no new injury or suspension concerns, while Allan McGregor, Alex Bruce, Moses Odubajo, Will Keane and Greg Luer all remain sidelined.
Phelan stressed the visit of City to the KCOM Stadium will provide his Premier League underdogs with all the motivation they need.
The Tigers, bottom of the table at Christmas, embark on a daunting fixture schedule with a clash against title-chasing City before another home game against Everton and a trip to top-eight side West Brom.
Hull's defeat at West Ham last week was their 11th of the season, but Phelan has been encouraged by his players' improved displays in recent weeks and will remind them of the rewards on offer if they perform on the big stage.
"It's hard to earn your chance to play in the Premier League, it really is hard," Phelan said.
"When you get there you want to enjoy the moment and enjoy every game. Every game is very competitive, it's very high quality.
"The attention to detail is far greater, but I think all these players accept these responsibilities.
"There's no shortage of that at this football club. They all understand their roles, they all understand that they want to be a Premier League footballer.
"What you have to do to maintain that status is work hard, listen, improve - all those things and it's better to do that against the big boys because if you do, you get a lot of praise."
Right-back Pablo Zabaleta is doubtful for Manchester City with a knee problem.
Midfielder Fernandinho returns from a three-match suspension but striker Sergio Aguero still has one match of his ban remaining.
Captain Vincent Kompany (knee) and midfielder Fabian Delph (groin) continue to work towards a comeback but Ilkay Gundogan (knee) is a long-term absentee.
City manager Pep Guardiola has seen signs of danger from Hull and is taking nothing for granted against Phelan's men.
He said: "They started quite well. Of course the situation is not good but I saw many of their games and they are a special team who try to play more here than other teams in the Premier League.
"I spoke to (David) Silva and some other players and they gave me good advice about what it means to be playing Hull City on Boxing Day.
"What I have learned in my short period here is that the gap between the first 10 and the last 10 is not a big difference.
"That is why it is difficult to win. I am not expecting that the games, whether they are home or away, will be easier than any others."
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