Mike Phelan finally has a selection headache as Hull head to Burnley

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Having started the season with just 13 fit senior players, Mike Phelan is a man who hadn’t had too many selection headaches this season until now.

Hull City caretaker manager Mike Phelan has some decisions to make

It’s been a tumultuous last two weeks (and last few years in fact) for Hull City. A busy last two days of the transfer window was followed by news that their takeover had collapsed yesterday.

Despite all the chaos, the Tigers sit in fifth place in the Premier League and actually did some very good business just before the transfer window slammed shut.

Ryan Mason, Markus Henriksen and Dieumerci Mbokani were arguably their most notable recruits, whilst David Marshall, James Weir and Will Keane also headed to the KCOM Stadium.

Ryan Mason became Hull City’s new record signing

Those six signings coming into a threadbare squad means Mike Phelan emerges from the international break with a completely different looking set of players and options available to him.

At least four of those signings are potential first team regulars, but after defeating Leicester and Swansea so admirably and only just losing to Manchester United, Phelan will be cautious about dropping players.

As such, we take a look at some of the selection headaches that Mike Phelan now faces with his team travelling to Burnley tomorrow and throughout the season long term.

Jakupovic or Marshall

Eldin Jakupovic in action for Hull City

Hull’s Eldin Jakupovic has been in inspired form so far this season. The Swiss international who was written off by many after an error-laden to start to his Hull City career has bounced back in style so far this term.

Number one by virtue of an injury to Allan McGregor, Jakupovic has looked arguably more impressive than the Scot has ever done for the Tigers, putting in virtuoso performances against Leicester and Manchester United.

David Marshall, however, who arrives from Cardiff with a big reputation, will be expecting to be Phelan’s first choice. Supporters are split, but a slight majority seem to want Jakupovic to keep his place until he warrants replacing.

Central Midfield: Huddlestone, Meyler, Clucas, Mason & Henriksen

Hull City are unlikely to drop Tom Huddlestone

Thanks to their late window deals, Hull City now have a plethora of options available to them in the centre of midfield.

Excluding Jake Livermore who is likely to remain in defence, and James Weir who is unlikely to be thrown in at such an early stage, there are 5 players vying for 3 available spots within the team.

Huddlestone is unlikely to be dropped, whilst dropping Clucas would be extremely harsh. Mason for Meyler is the obvious change, although the two players do not play the same role.

Front Three: Snodgrass and Which Two (Hernandez, Diomande & Mbokani)

Robert Snodgrass has enjoyed a fine start to the season

Robert Snodgrass is an absolute nailed on starter for Hull City away at Burnley, having had an outstanding start to the season with 5 goals in 5 games for club and country.

One would expect Abel Hernandez to start, but he had to fly half the way across the globe to play 14 minutes for Uruguay this week, and will have to be assessed by the club.

Phelan’s obvious options are either keeping it the same, bringing Mbokani in for Hernandez if the Uruguayan is tired or bringing in Mbokani for Diomande and moving Hernandez wide left, if he feels the former Norwich man can give Hull a greater threat going forward than Diomande.

A Change of Formation

Mike Phelan seems unlikely to make radical changes

Whilst the aforementioned three selection headaches are the obvious dilemmas for Mike Phelan, there is a fourth and final option, which would be a change of formation.

The 4-3-3 adopted by Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant was largely a decision made out of necessity, given the players at his disposal.

With a far greater wealth of talent available to him now, Phelan could well switch things up, but given the Tigers early season success, it would be a big risk and one he is unlikely to make you would feel.

Will Hull City make it 3 wins from 4 against Burnley?