Jake Livermore: Could return for Hull after avoiding FA ban

Manager Garry Monk says a few bumps and bruises will be assessed after Saturday’s draw with Everton but several first-team regulars seem certain to be stood down ahead of their next Premier League test at Southampton.

“But I am not here to give players game-time, I am here to pick a team that I think will win the game”.

Livermore was suspended by the club pending an investigation following the 25-year-old testing positive for cocaine in April.

Bruce’s big decision over his squad surrounds Jake Livermore, who is back in full training after escaping suspension for his drugs ban. It might be one change, or two changes or more – I have to decide when the group come back in.

Hull City manager Steve Bruce has revealed that Jake Livermore is in contention to play against Swansea City in midweek.

“When I look at the squad in training I will see who’s fresh and who’s ready to go for the game on Tuesday”.

The familiar names of Angel Rangel, Kyle Bartley, Leon Britton and Wayne Routledge are all set to return for starts, along with goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt, who made his one and only appearance for the club in the previous round of the competition.

This means likely starts for Ahmed Elmohamady, Chuba Akpom, David Meyler, Isaac Hayden, Shaun Maloney, Ryan Taylor and Greg Luer against the 2013 League Cup winners. That can take it out of even the fittest players, as recovery time is so short. Despite that though they go into this match as outsiders, with 21/10 being offered on a home win with bet365.

“It will be a strong team that I put out, as the aim is to win and get through to the next round”.

The Liberty Stadium outfit have kept clean sheets in seven of their last nine Capital One Cup fixtures, conceding only against Birmingham and Liverpool.

The Swans boss made 11 changes for a second round victory over York City and another night of wholesale changes is expected at the KC Stadium. “It will be a tough game”.