Hull and Leicester to mix the teams up or play three-and-in
The Tigers are struggling for numbers for their opening-day fixture, and Back of the Net can reveal that some drastic solutions are being considered...
Hull City and Leicester City are in the process of working out how to have a decent game on the opening day of the Premier League season, with both sides reluctant to cancel.
At present Hull only have ‘five or six lads who are definitely up for a game’, emails between the clubs have revealed, and it looks a tough ask to find a full XI before their August 13 opener.
While the Tigers have been sending around emails and inviting existing players to bring along ‘any friends who might fancy it’, their player total has remained rooted at an optimistic six, with Tom Huddlestone noting that he ‘might have a thing’ that day and so doesn’t want to be counted as a definite.
Hull City squad photo 2016/17August 4, 2016
Exploring options
As a result, Back of the Net understands that the two clubs are considering the possibility of mixing up the teams or just playing a game of three-and-in and/or Wembley doubles.
“We’ll defo have a kick-around whatever,” an email from Hull City AFC to Leicester City FC reads.
“If the weather’s decent there’ll be a load [of Hull youth players] who want to turn up on the day. We might even end up with eleven.”
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Alternative outdoor games
Leicester have confirmed their intention to ‘pop up’ to the KC Stadium whatever happens and have insisted it’s ‘not too much hassle for three points’, but there is mention of bringing other outdoor games - such as boules and a frisbee - just in case.
“I guess we could just do Mahrez take,” another email from Leicester suggests.
“But then, come to think of it, Riyad said he might have a thing [contract talks] somewhere [at the Emirates Stadium] around then.”
At the time of publication, Hull were planning to post an advert for players on a classified forum but had nobody to take charge of writing it.
Please note: This news story isn't real. But you knew that, obviously.