CITY HANDED MAJOR BOOST

THE TIGERS HOST THE BLADES IN A BIG YORKSHIRE DERBY THIS WEEKEND

- By BARRY COOPER

HULL City will welcome back Matt Crooks into their squad for Saturday's Yorkshire derby with Sheffield United at the MKM Stadium in what will be a timely boost for the Tigers.

Crooks has not played since the second game of the season, having been hurt in a challenge during the 3-2 win over Oxford United, and his absence has been keenly felt.

The playmaker, who scored his debut Tigers goal at Bramall Lane in the 3-0 win back in January, is likely to start on the bench, where he'll be joined by Semi Ajayi, who returned to the fold on Tuesday night against Preston North End, though he didn't get on the pitch in the pulsating 2-2 comeback.

City will still be without wingers Joel Ndala and Mohamed Belloumi, with the pair not expected back until after the international break.