Ajayi Nearing Hull City Return After Injury Lay-off

Semi Ajayi is making good progress in his recovery from injury, according to Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic.

Ajayi has been out of action since suffering a hamstring injury during Nigeria’s bronze medal match against Egypt at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations last month. The 32-year-old was replaced by Chidozie Awaziem late in that game.

The centre-back has missed Hull City’s last six fixtures across all competitions. He is now expected to rejoin full team training next week.

“Crooksy looks like he will be available for Portsmouth away, Semi Ajayi, next week he will start group training with us,” Jakirovic told the Hull Daily Mail. “We do have a problem though with Matty Jacob. Matty had a non-contact injury in Tuesday’s training session and there is an MCL grade two injury, so we will lose him for six to eight weeks. It means we have lost an option at left full-back.”