Hull City head coach lauds Super Eagles defender ahead of Preston clash

Babajide David Akintola, Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina, Sone Aluko, Dele Adebola, Seyi Olofinjana, and Austin ‘Jay-Jay' Okocha are all Super Eagles players to have played for Hull City…

Super Eagles and Hull City defender Semi Ajayi is nearing a return to full recovery after a hamstring injury he suffered last month, Soccernet.ng reports.

The former Arsenal man has suffered subsequent hamstring injuries in the past year, playing just three ninety-minute games since the turn of the year.

With South Africa suffering a three-point deduction, Ajayi's return to full fitness is a boost for Eric Chelle's side as they look to reclaim a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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Ajayi could feature for Hull against Preston

Hull City coach, Sergej Jakirovic, revealed the Nigerian defender continued his fitness journey by playing with the club's U-21 side.

“Ten, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes for the under-21s he played – everything by the protocol,” the Bosnian manager said in quotes revealed by Yorkshire.

The former Dinamo Zagreb coach is also thrilled with Ajayi's return, citing the attributes the former West Bromwich Albion defender brings to the team.

“For the last two weeks, he trained in full, very hard, so he's one option to play these games.

“What does he bring? Everything – speed, duels, a tall player in our box who cleared a lot of balls against Coventry. He's very important,” the 48-year-old concluded.

Hull City have two fixtures before the October International break, and that should give Ajayi some level of fitness before he heads out on National team duty.