‎EFL delivers transfer verdict after Hull City submit request for Yu Hirakawa

Hull City’s efforts to bring David Akintola into their squad have encountered a setback after the EFL rejected their request to register the Nigerian winger as a replacement for Yu Hirakawa.

The Tigers had approached the league hoping to remove Hirakawa from their registered squad and replace him with Akintola, with the Japanese international currently sidelined through injury. However, the EFL has declined the request for now, stating that medical confirmation is required to prove that Hirakawa will miss the rest of the Championship season before any change can be approved.

At present, Hull’s 25-man squad contains 23 players, with two slots expected to be filled by Mo Belloumi and Eliot Matazo. Belloumi has returned to full training and is nearing a first-team comeback, while Matazo recently made his return after a year out during the Under-21s’ victory over Peterborough United on Tuesday.

Hirakawa suffered an ankle injury during last month’s win against Derby County and is expected to be sidelined for around eight weeks. There had been concerns he might require surgery, which could have ruled him out for up to four months and jeopardised his chances of appearing at this summer’s World Cup.

Head coach Sergej Jakirovic said no final decision has been taken regarding surgery, with ongoing discussions involving Hirakawa and his parent club Bristol City.

“The latest information I have is that he is trying to avoid surgery,” Jakirovic explained. “Together with Bristol City, it will be his decision. If he continues without surgery, we will support him, but that would still mean around seven, eight or nine weeks out.”

Jakirovic added that the injury involves the same ankle that has troubled the player in the past, noting that the prospect of the World Cup could influence Hirakawa’s decision.

If doctors eventually confirm that Hirakawa will miss the rest of the campaign, Hull remain hopeful the EFL will allow them to remove him from the squad and register Akintola in his place.

“I asked Jared yesterday and he said we contacted the EFL about it, but the request was rejected,” Jakirovic said. “It depends on whether the injury keeps him out for more than eight weeks. You have to prove that with medical documents, and that’s why they turned it down.

“I hope discussions will continue because, in my opinion, Yu’s season is probably over. That’s my prediction with it being eight or nine weeks. I hope he can come back, but with our injuries it often ends up being at least a week longer than expected.”