Team news for the Premier League match between Hull City and Everton at the KC Stadium on Thursday, January 1, 2015 (kick-off 3pm).Hull City team news
Stephen Quinn becomes the latest player to miss out for Hull City as he serves a one-match suspension for the visit of Everton.
The Irish midfielder was shown a straight red card for deliberate handball in stoppage time of the 1-0 loss to Leicester and joins big team-mates in the stands.
Tom Huddlestone serves the fourth and final match of his ban today, while Michael Dawson (hamstring), Mohamed Diame (knee) and Robert Snodgrass (knee) again miss out.
City's concerns are eased by the return of James Chester from his one-match ban and he is expected to come back into the Tigers' defence.
Checks will be made on full-back Andy Robertson after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury and his return could be a timely one with Liam Rosenior troubled by an Achilles problem.
Both Nikica Jelavic and Abel Hernandez have had to settle for places on the bench in the last two games but there will be a temptation to start the pair after lively performances against Leicester.
The £17m double act have scored eight goals between them this season and will be keen to help City end a barren run of form at the KC.Hull City possible line-up: McGregor; Chester, Bruce, Davies; Robertson, Elmohamady; Meyler, Livermore, Brady; Jelavic, HernandezEverton team news
Everton's injury problems have worsened after keeper Tim Howard joined a long list of absentees for the trip to the KC Stadium.
Howard had only missed one league game all season but a six-week lay off to recover from a calf injury will provide understudy Joel Robles with a rare chance.
Tony Hibbert (ankle), Leon Osman (foot), Steven Pienaar (knee) and Darron Gibson (knee) are all ruled out, leaving Roberto Martinez to sweat on the fitness of Phil Jagielka, James McCarthy and John Stones.
The defensive pairing of Jagielka and Stones both missed the 3-2 defeat at Newcastle with ankle injuries and are being monitored on a day-to-day basis.
McCarthy returned to play at St James' Park but only managed 45 minutes before he was withdrawn as a precautionary measure.
Homegrown rookies Tyias Browning and Russell Griffiths have been promoted to the first-team squad to provide cover of late, but Martinez will hope his depleted ranks receive a boost.
Romelu Lukaku, Kevin Mirallas and Ross Barkley could all feature from the start after only being named as subs in the loss at St James' Park.Everton possible line-up: Robles; Baines, Distin, Alcaraz, Coleman; Barry, McCarthy; Mirallas, Barkley, McGeady; LukakuPlayers to watch
Hull City have struggled for goals at the KC Stadium – just one in their last five games on home soil – so the timing of Everton's visit should be encouraging.
The Toffees have the Premier League's second worst defensive record with 31 goals leaked and the struggles of veteran centre-back Sylvain Distin are at the root of their troubles.
Injuries to Phil Jagielka and John Stones could again force Roberto Martinez to go with the 37-year-old Distin and former team-mate Nikica Jelavic will not show any mercy.
Jelavic, who has scored five goals for City this season, is likely to be handed a recall against his former club and can cause Everton's creaking defence further problems.Form guide
It has been a stop-start season with all the Europa League commitments but Everton's campaign has hit its worst spell yet. Just one win has come in their last seven league games and a defeat at Newcastle on Sunday was a third defeat in a row. A dismal slump is particularly evident away from Goodison Park where they have taken just one point from the last 15 up for grabs. Only Burnley and West Brom have been beaten in their nine games away from home this season.
