Our daily blog with the latest news, transfer rumours and gossip about Hull City in the Premier League. Today, Yannick Sagbo is outshone by Nick Proschwitz, and Matty Fryatt needs games.
Hull City's Yannick Sagbo is in contention to start at Newcastle United, a month after a moment of madness ended his home debut against Norwich, but looks likely to start on the bench after a smooth return to action for the reserves last night.
A 59-minute run-out against Rotherham United was primarily designed to be a fitness exercise and in that respect the night was a success. But if a first game in 25 days also represented a last chance to nudge Danny Graham out of the starting XI at St James Park, Sagbo failed to give Steve Bruce a jolt in the ribs.
On an evening that saw Nick Proschwitz run riot with four goals against an inexperienced Rotherham defence, in contrast the £1.6m signing from Evian was largely anonymous. A forgiving assessment would account for his lack of sharpness but the enthusiasm seen on a bright debut against Chelsea was absent.
One chance did fall his way in the closing minutes of the first half, thanks to the poor handling of Tony Thompson, only for Sagbo to hit the stranded opponent with the goal gaping. His night was cut short on 59 minutes with one eye on the trip to Tyneside. However, the only forward who left his mark on this contest was the much-maligned Proschwitz.
So, should Proschwitz now feature when Hull City travel to Newcastle? Vote in our Pick the Team poll.Fryatt fails to make a case
Hull City are moving on at pace and as Autumn takes hold, Matty Fryatt's stock is falling with the leaves. After missing the majority of last season with a cruel Achilles injury, the challenge of working his way back into contention is proving a tall order for the one time focal point of City's attacking line.
A long-awaited Premier League debut is yet to come and, on the evidence of his performance against Rotherham last night, the wait will surely go on. A fall into the reserve team brought an unfamiliar role; playing deep off the front two of Nick Proschwitz and Yannick Sagbo, Fryatt's fortunes were mixed.
That proven intelligence and awareness were there but the telling contribution was not. A lack of match action was also noticeable as he lacked the sharp turn of pace that once lit up the Championship.
Fryatt is in need of a change. Whether that be a short-term loan to drag him back up to speed or a permanent move for the good of his career, a place in City's shadows is doing him no favours. A reluctance to move to either Barnsley or Nottingham Forest will have its reasons but Fryatt's talents deserve a better stage than this.Powell confident Cameron Stewart can resurrect career at Charlton
Hull City winger Cameron Stewart has been tipped to re-ignite his stalled career after making a stunning impression on his Charlton Athletic debut this week.
Stewart needed just 11 minutes to announce his arrival on loan with the Addicks when emerging off the bench to score a magnificent long-range goal at Huddersfield Town on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old's strike was not enough to prevent Charlton falling to a 2-1 loss at the John Smith's Stadium but it is hoped a first goal since January 2012 can be the catalyst for an overdue return to form. A four-month loan spell in South London will provide Stewart with first-team opportunities unlikely to come at the KC Stadium, and Charlton boss Chris Powell hopes he can be the beneficiary.
"He's someone I've kept an eye on for quite a while," said Powell. "He came to my attention a couple of years back and then we noticed he didn't play too much for Hull last year.
"I made the phone calls in the summer but then he got injured. I wanted to add another wide player, a bit of pace, a bit of skill. It was a perfect opportunity to bring him here for a few months.
"He's been lively and buoyant. He's got some talent and, if we can harness that in the right way, we may have a player there. He made his mark on Tuesday and let's see where it leads to."
Stewart produced a moment of magic at Huddersfield that has so often proved beyond him during the last 18 months. Collecting the ball on the right edge of the penalty area, he cut inside and unleashed a terrific drive that cannoned in off the underside of the bar. Not since scoring in the Tigers' 3-1 FA Cup win over Ipswich on January 9, 2012 has the rookie been on the scoresheet, a time that has included frustrations at the KC and with loan clubs Burnley and Blackburn.
Stewart, now in the final year of his City deal, still appears unlikely to feature again for the Tigers but Powell is unsure what the future will hold beyond the expiry of his current loan in January.
"I think he sees this as a fresh start and an opportunity to impress me and a new set of supporters and players," he added. "So far, so good but there's a while to go yet, he's here until January. But if he carries on like he did on Tuesday, he'll make a case for staying longer."Harper's grand testimonial raises £300,000
Steve Harper's testimonial raised £300,000 for north-east charities. A host of former Newcastle and AC Milan stars turned out for the game at St James' Park last week, which was attended by a crowd of almost 51,000, to mark 38-year-old Harper's 20 years of service to the Magpies. The proceeds will benefit match organisers the Newcastle United Foundation and two other principal beneficiaries, the Great North Children's Hospital and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
Harper, due to return to Tyneside with Hull City on Saturday, said: "It was an incredible night. I'd like to say thank you to everyone who came along to St James' Park to be a part of it and for making it so special.
"It was a privilege to be on the same pitch as some of the greatest players to have ever played the game and, more importantly, the match raised money for charities which are very close to my heart. I'm delighted that those funds will enhance the amazing work they continue to do for people right across the north-east."• Former Hull City striker Marlon King has signed for Sheffield United.
• Hull City paper talk September 18
