WE'D LIKE MORE STARS

BUT JAKIROVIC SAYS HE ONLY WANTS THOSE WHO WILL IMPROVE HIS CITY TEAM

- By BARRY COOPER

SERGEJ Jakirovic admits the January transfer window poses plenty of challenges for Hull City, with the club still working under transfer restrictions imposed on them by the EFL.

City will not be allowed to pay transfer or loan fees this month and will therefore rely on the craft and ingenuity they showed in the summer months to put together a squad that Jakirovic has been able to turn into promotion contenders, whilst keeping within the strict financial fair play rules (FFP).

The Tigers, who were 1-0 winners at Middlesbrough on Monday kicked off the New Year at home to Stoke City yesterday.

Key to sustaining their promotion push into the second half of the season will be keeping key players fit, but also doing what they can in the transfer market, despite being at a significant disadvantage compared to their rivals.

Sporting director Jared Dublin has been working in recent months, along with head of recruitment Martin Hodge and owner Acun Ilicali, to put together a list of possible targets, which was presented to Jakirovic just before Christmas, and he says, given the lofty league position, there's no shortage of interest in joining the club.