'Still missing' – Hull City assistant coach confirms Ajayi won't make injury return v Southampton

Hull City assistant manager Dean Holden has confirmed that Semi Ajayi will not be available for selection when the Tigers face Southampton this weekend.

Ajayi sustained a hamstring injury in the aftermath of Hull City's Championship opener against Coventry City, where he put in a commanding performance to help secure a goalless draw.

The injury ruled him out of four consecutive Championship fixtures and also cost him a place in Nigeria's squad for this month's back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.

Holden confirmed that Ajayi will not make his return from injury against Southampton, and stressed that patience is required with the Nigeria international and other sidelined players.

"I thought Lewie Coyle can be really pleased with his performance (at Swansea) coming back in, having not played since pre-season out in Istanbul," Holden told Hull Live.

"Crooksy and Big Semi (Ajayi) will still be missing for this game, as will Eliot Matazo, another top player I can't wait to see."

He added: "It's just making sure that once they come back in, they're ready to stay in. That's the key thing for us, and we're all desperate to have all those guys back. 

"Everyone I've mentioned, but making sure that when they do come back, they're going to stay in and around it."

Ajayi joined Hull City on a free transfer in the summer transfer window following the expiration of his contract with West Brom, where he spent six years.

If his rehabilitation goes according to plan, he will be in contention for a place in the matchday squad against Watford on Saturday, September 27.

Deprived of Ajayi's leadership at the back, Hull's defence has been left exposed, conceding 11 goals in their last four Championship games.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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