Wrexham v Hull City: Happy returns give Tigers players a lift

Matazo was an unused substitute against Millwall and is pencilled in to play "45 to 60 minutes" for the under-21s at home to Sheffield United on Tuesday rather than be with the first team in Wrexham.

But to have him involved again after rupturing his anterior cruciate knee ligament (ACL) at Cardiff City in February 2025 was a big lift.

Slater rates the 24-year-old very highly but with only 10 matches left this season – play-off-chasing Hull will hope it stretches to 13 there is a limit to what can be expected of him.

"Being here last year, I know what quality Eliot's got," said fellow midfielder Slater. "He's a very talented player and it'll be nice if he can just build his fitness up with no problems and we can get him back in."

Matazo played no part in Saturday's 3-1 defeat at home to Millwall and was probably never likely to, but in an era of nine substitutes coach Sergej Jakiovic felt it was important "psychologically that he feels atmosphere, that he's part of the team."

Hull's Semi Ajayi made his first appearance on Saturday since the hamstring injury he suffered at the Africa Cup of Nations, but getting a full squad fit is proving very challenging for the Tigers.

Akin Famewo (calf), Ryan Giles, Matty Jacob (both hamstring), Yu Hirakawa (ankle) and Darko Gyabi (groin) are all out injured, and Matt Crooks completes a two-game suspension. Hull have not yet been able to register David Akintola for the second half of the season, having overlooked him before Hirakawa suffered what could be a season-ending injury.

"We've still got a couple of lads that are injured, big players for us that this season have shown their quality like Gilo (Giles), (Mohamed) Belloumi," said Slater. "It's frustrating that it seems to be like get one back and then another one goes.

"It's not only happening to us, it's happening to everyone else in the league and unfortunately that is part of the game."

Belloumi is in the squad after convincing he is ready in training. Lewie Coyle did very well to play through an ankle injury on Saturday and although he will certainly want to again, the risk must be assessed.

Wrexham completes the set of teams in the play-off places Hull have faced in the last 10 days. A win takes them above the Tigers on goal difference with a game in hand.

"It's a demanding game in front of us and we will do everything to take something," said Jakirovic.

"It's nothing new, we know everything, they are a very strong home team, they play specific football with a lot of crosses, a lot of set-pieces and we have to be prepared for it."

Wrexham's best qualities have similarities with Millwall's, who Hull outplayed at the weekend, despite losing 3-1.

"We've played all sorts of teams now, we know what people are about and we've had a lot of practice for whatever anyone throws at us," commented Slater.

"Defensively we've been solid – for the majority of the time anyway. So we just want to go to Wrexham and try and take three points."