The EFL has denied Hull City’s plea to register David Akintola in place of Yu Hirakawa, despite the fact that the Japanese international is expected to miss the rest of the season.
City had petitioned the governing body with the intention of removing Hirakawa from their registered squad and replacing him with winger Akintola.
As things stand, the EFL has said no until physicians determine that the Bristol City loanee will miss the rest of the Championship season. If that assessment is forthcoming, the Nigerian has a chance of joining City’s 25-man squad.
That squad presently has 23 members, with two spots remaining for Mo Belloumi and Eliot Matazo. Belloumi has resumed full training and is on his way back to the main team, while Matazo made his long-awaited return from a year out in the Under-21s’ triumph over Peterborough United on Tuesday afternoon.
Hirakawa suffered an ankle injury in last month’s triumph over Derby County and is expected to miss the next eight weeks. It was thought that he would require surgery, which would have kept him out for four months and put him in serious danger of missing this summer’s World Cup.
According to manager Sergej Jakirovic, no decision has been made on whether the winger would undergo surgery, as conversations with parent club Bristol City continue.According to the most recent information I have, he attempted to avoid surgery, therefore it is up to him and the club, Bristol City, to determine whether or not to go with surgery. We will support him. It will take seven, eight, or nine weeks (without surgery).”It’s the same ankle that he’s had issues with before. Every player who has the potential to compete in the World Cup will do all in their power to get there.”
If Hirakawa is ruled out for the next two months of the season by doctors, City hopes the EFL will allow him to be de-registered, according to Akintola.I approached Jared (Dublin) yesterday, and he stated that we wanted the EFL to resolve this, but the EFL turned it down,” the City manager added. “I think if he’s more than eight weeks away, we can do it. Medical documentation is required to prove anything, which is why it was refused.I hope (the talks continue), since I believe it is finished for Yu. He completed the season. This is my forecast, given that it is eight or nine weeks. I hope it is (realistic that he may return), but I’m not hopeful about our injuries because they always last at least one week longer than expected, which is the problem.”
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