Stoke City v Hull City: Adkins waiting on domino effect to provide chance to strengthen

The Tigers have made six additions this summer, the most recent being George Long way back on July 18.

Since then Hull have made unsuccessful bids for a number of targets with Adkins previously revealing he wanted to see “three or four new faces” in before next Friday’s deadline.

“As a football club we are actively looking to improve the situation and strength of the squad,” he said.

“We need to bring players in before the window shuts, I have highlighted that.

“But I am understanding of the budget we are working within.

“There are a lot of conversations going on, there is money on the table with other clubs for players we are trying to bring in. But we have to see if that comes to fruition.

“At every press conference that will happen this week every single manager in the Football League will be getting asked the question, ‘Are you signing anyone?’.

“And every manager will say, ‘The price of players is so expensive there is a domino effect and we can’t bring anyone in until they have got their players out or in’.

“People will always put players names forward, that is the beauty of football. But when you are aware of the finances involved in the deal you will understand why we can’t sign certain players and let other clubs have them.”

Hull head to Stoke City buoyed by the midweek win at Rotherham United.

The Potters, meanwhile, endured a miserable time with a 3-0 home defeat to Wigan Athletic leaving the pre-season favourites for promotion in the bottom three.

“Stoke City will be expected to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt,” said Adkins. “It is tough to bounce straight back, I know from my own experiences at Reading.

“I watched (Stoke) live in the first game of the season against Leeds and they were second best in that game.

“That is the reality of being in the Championship. You have got to knuckle down.”