Hull City manager Grant McCann has confirmed that duo Josh Magennis and Kevin Stewart are ruled out until the new year with injury.

The Northern Ireland international, Magennis, only just returned to action for the Tigers following a four-match ban. However, on his return in the 4-0 win over Preston last week, he tore his hamstring which has ruled him out for six to eight weeks.

Former Liverpool midfielder Kevin Stewart has had a worse injury to contend with, as he has broken a bone in his foot, ruling him out until potentially the end of February. 

These injuries mean that at least two players will have to step in to deputise for the foreseeable future. Here, we take a look at three players who will have to step up for the injured duo…

Tom Eaves

The towering striker has had a big part to play in Grant McCann’s squad this season, making 17 appearances and scoring three goals with two assists. A lot of his appearances have come as a substitute but with Magennis ruled out for at least December, it could be the chance for Eaves to nail down a starting spot.

Going forward, Eaves would offer the side a focal point in a very similar style to Magennis, by being able to hold up the ball up front and brings others into play like Jarrod Bowen and Kamil Grosicki.

His goal threat would have to improve though if he wants to be the first-choice striker for the rest of the season.

Danny Batty

The holding midfielder stepped in at the weekend for Kevin Stewart in their 3-1 defeat to Barnsley and appears to be a firm part of McCann’s plans going forward.

The midfielder came into the Tigers’ side in a tough game, with Barnsley rampant in midfield and attack all game, giving him a tall order of stopping an inspired Alex Mowatt from providing and scoring goals.

With Stewart out, there is a gap to be filled for a more defensive midfielder, because Jackson Irvine presents more of a box-to-box option and is the player who surely won’t be dropped in the other central spot.

Batty must show more than what he did in the game at Oakwell but he has the quality to step in and cover for Stewart until his return.

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Keane Lewis-Potter

The young striker came on late into the game against Barnsley but made an instant impact, scoring in the 86th-minute to instil some life into the Hull side by halving the deficit.

With Magennis out, it leaves Hull with a shortage of natural strikers in the squad, as Jarrod Bowen operates up front more and more, despite being more naturally suited to a wide position. Lewis-Potter would come in as a substitute so it is unlikely to see him nail down the starting spot at 18-years-old, but his impact could ease the woes of losing Magennis for over a month.