Fit-again Hull City striker Tom Eaves 'in a better place' than when he came back for pre-season

Hull City striker Tom Eaves is fit again and in contention to play a part in Saturday's League One showdown with Plymouth Argyle.
Hull City striker Tom Eaves has missed the club's last six games. Pictures: Getty ImagesHull City striker Tom Eaves has missed the club's last six games. Pictures: Getty Images
Hull City striker Tom Eaves has missed the club's last six games. Pictures: Getty Images

The 28-year-old targetman picked up an ankle injury during last month's Carabao Cup clash at Sunderland and has missed the Tigers' last six games.

But, Eaves has now been passed fit for selection against Argyle, with City head coach Grant McCann revealing that the former Gillingham man has got himself into better condition than he was before he was sidelined.

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"Tom Eaves is back, which is good and gives us another body in the attacking area," McCann said.

Mallik Wilks has scored three goals so far this term.Mallik Wilks has scored three goals so far this term.
Mallik Wilks has scored three goals so far this term.

"Tom is in a really good place now. He's been training for the last 10 days.

"He worked very hard on Tuesday in a clearance session to make sure that he could come back in with us without any problems.

"He looks in a better place than he was when he first came back [for pre-season] and that's a credit to the sports science and physio department and the conditioning they've done."

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Confirmation of Eaves' availability is not the only bit of good news that McCann has received this week.

The Hull chief also revealed in Thursday's press conference that captain Richie Smallwood and joint-top-scorer Mallik Wilks could also feature on Saturday.

"Richie and Mallik are pushing for the weekend, which is a lot sooner than expected," McCann added.

"Whether they make it or not, we will see, but they are pushing very hard.

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"They've had good treatment, done good work in the gym and they are strong, robust boys anyway.

"Whether we take that risk, we will see. We don't want to lose them for a big period for the sake of one game. It's a long, long season."

Scotland under-21s winger James Scott is however set for another spell on the treatment table having hurt the same ankle that he damaged back in February, during what was his first-ever training session as a Tigers player.

"We've lost James Scott from last week, which is really disappointing," McCann said.

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"He's gone over on his ankle in the game [against Northampton] when he came off the bench, no-one near him, a bit like the one on the training ground when he first came.

"I don't think it is that bad, but we've just got to take it week-by-week. At the moment he's in a boot. There's no break, there's just something in there that's niggling away at him."

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