Scunthorpe United v Hull City: Pressure on Tigers to flatten the Iron

Championship: NIGEL PEARSON admits the pressure is on Hull City to win today's Humber derby following a spate of drawn games.

Leeds United's fightback from two goals down to claim a point at the KC Stadium on Tuesday night meant the Tigers remained seven points adrift of the play-offs despite extending their current run to just one defeat in 14 games.

The chief reason for that is Hull having drawn seven of those 14 games, including stalemates against Reading, leaders Queens Park Rangers and Leeds in their last three outings.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Speaking ahead of today's trip across the Humber to Scunthorpe United, manager Pearson said: "There is no doubt that because we've drawn the last three, it has put us under more pressure to win it.

"If our aspirations about making the play-offs can be realised, we need to be winning games."

Hull were beaten 1-0 by the Iron when the two clubs met earlier this season but will fancy their chances of avenging that loss against a side who have won just once at home all season.

To do so, however, Hull will have to make light of being without Liam Rosenior and James Harper after the duo were injured during the midweek draw against Leeds.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Pearson, who in the aftermath of the draw accused Lloyd Sam of putting Rosenior in hospital with a "coward's challenge", said: "There is no long-term damage to Liam's neck, which is the most important thing.

"James has had a scan and there is no new fracture but he will be resting up this weekend."

Caleb Folan, meanwhile, is exploring a possible move to the MLS in America despite having 18 months remaining on his Hull contract.