'Coventry and God gave us one more chance' – is Hull City v Middlesbrough play-off fate?

Sunday certainly changed the face of the task they face at home to Norwich City on Saturday.

"Coventry and God gave us one more chance," says Jakirovic, who is starting to think Middlesbrough coach Hellberg may have been right when he said their teams would meet again in the play-offs.

Saturday was a low point for the Tigers, going a sixth game without a win and missing the chance to step back into the Championship play-off places, even if for less than 24 hours. Their hopes of a top-six finish would go to the last day, but looked bleak.

But a Coventry City team with nothing but pride to play for came to their aid. Level with sixth-placed Wrexham after 80 minutes, Victor Torp's goal saw them to the three points. As cherries on the top go, Ephron Mason-Clark's stoppage-time goal was a juicy one.

Combined with Kyle Joseph’s sprint from one penalty area to another to stop Charlton Athletic turning their 2-1 win over Hull into a 3-1, it meant Wrexham's goal difference is just one better than the Tigers going into the final round of fixtures. With more goals scored, plus the better head-to-head record, Hull only need catch, not overtake it.

With Derby County lurking a point back, it is not a head-to-head but no result Wrexham can get at home to Middlesbrough will on its own stop Hull, level with them on 70 points, making the play-offs.

"This third goal of Coventry, it's very important," says Jakirovic, banned from the touchline on Saturday. "Kyle Joseph, when he defended this counter-attack, it's also very important.

"Maybe it will be crucial.

"Wrexham had some chances – (they hit a) post and a one-v-one.

"Coventry and God gave us a chance – one more chance – so we have to use this.

"First target, it's win the game. If you cannot, then it’s 'Ciao, amigos, see you in two months.'"

Even Tuesday's 2-2 draw between Ipswich Town and Southampton ought to help. It means Middlesbrough still have a chance – albeit an outside one – of claiming the second automatic promotion spot.

"In my opinion, Middlesbrough and Southampton will try to avoid fourth and fifth position," argues Jakirovic. "They (Boro) can still reach third at least and second depends on Ipswich."

"Middlesbrough will try to do everything to win the game. I know that because I spoke with Kim Hellberg on (Football League) awards night. He said, 'See you in the play-offs.'

"He's a very nice lad. I like him. I like his style of football.

"Maybe his wish is to play us.

"That would be nice but we need to do everything to win the game.

"The second target is to score one goal more than Wrexham."

Hull are on their worst run of results this season, but Jakirovic feels that will be irrelevant on Saturday.

"We could at least win three," he insists. "But the last game, it's the last game. We'll see handles this."

Yu Hirakawa has recovered from an ankle knock in training on Monday. Eliot Matazo is due to have knee surgery on Tuesday or Wednesday.