Preston North End v Hull City: Tigers confident new boy can fit into tough dressing room

The Japanese winger joined the Tigers on loan from Bristol City on Monday, and with so many injuries restricting their options, it would be no surprise if he made his debut at Preston North End. on Tuesday

But adapatability is the Tigers' watchword as they switch from beating a possession-driven Southampton on Saturday to a more physical North End side whose pitch is forcing them to play more direct football again.

"We expect the game to pan out completely differently," warns assistant manager Dean Holden. "We've just got to make sure we're ready for the next challenge.

"The pitch is obviously something we need to be aware of, so that might tie into the game a little bit but we expect a really tough game.

"They’ve got a strong way of playing with three really good midfielders. (Ben) Whiteman) wants to dictate the game, but physically can control it as well, so we need to stop him at source. They've got (Alfie) Devine and four good strikers.

"You need to be right on your game in terms of second balls. You need to control the right areas.

"We might have to play slightly differently in the attacking phase to hurt Preston than we did against Southampton but we're not going to copy Derby's gameplan (after the Rams won 1-0 at the weekend), we wouldn't do that. We can't anyway.

"We certainly know where their weakness is, it's making sure the players are aware of that and that they execute the gameplan."

The adaptability, the refusal to fall back on excuses with injuries biting, requires tough characters.

"They pull each other up, they make sure the standards are high," says Holden. "If someone drops below their standards more often than not the players nail it themselves."

So it says something for Hirakawa that Hull feel he can slot straight in. Bristol City are one of Holden’s former clubs, so he did his homework.

"He comes with glowing reports from the guys in Bristol we've spoken to," says Holden. "His quality is there for all to see – very good technically, a very good set-piece taker.

"He'll want to run in behind as well, which is really important to the way that we play, and brings a huge amount of energy and aggression.

"I think he's an infectious type of character, and I think they loved him at Bristol. Particularly in January, whoever comes in has to not just fit into the group but add to the group in a really positive way, and we're really sure that's going to be the case.

"Just as importantly, he knows the Championship. He's spent a decent period of time here now (this is his second season since leaving Japan), so he knows the rigours of the Championship.

"New signings just help, don't they? A new face freshens it up a little bit. Perhaps you've got one or two players looking over their shoulder.

"It's super exciting to get to know him. The manager (Sergej Jakirovic) was really impressed with his mentality when he spoke to him."

That Hirakawa arrived saying: "My strong point is creating chances" will be super exciting for striker Oli McBurnie, and Monday was a crash-course in getting to know the right-footer – in training, then a bus journey across the Pennines.

Holden was excited "to see him for the first time, get to know a new person – his upbringing, his family, all that type of thing. The first training session’s always excellent because he'll want to show his quality.

"The lads always want to show off a little bit to the new guy as well, so it always adds to the buzz.

"He's got to get to know the style of play but the manager has spoken to him about that in detail already.

"We've played against him so he's seen us play but his strengths complement the way we want to play.

"When the group is all together there will be some big selection headaches. At the moment we're having a fight with a depleted squad but you have to find a way."

John Lundstram appears to have come through his return from a knee injury unscathed, but Akin Famewo and Kyle Joseph picked up problems at St Mary’s.

"Akin was feeling a tightness in his quad towards the end of the first half," revealed Holden. "In the second half there was just some cramp in the hamstring.

"Kyle just rolled his ankle in that first half. I was actually surprised he went on as long as he did but as he always does, he put his body on the line and got himself another goal."

If Hull's second January signing after James Debayo lifts spirits, the possibility of Leeds United Joe Gelhardt’s first appearance since early December is even more exciting.

Nigerian centre-back Semi Ajayi was due back on Monday after being substituted before the Super Eagles secured third-place at the Africa Cup of Nations with a penalty shoot-out over Egypt.

"He just felt a little bit of cramp in hamstrings, so that was precautionary," said Holden, reassuringly. "You're watching it, getting a little bit worried. Hopefully he's okay."