Hull City currently sit six points outside the play-off places but so far this term they have been very hit and miss, and should they want to hit the play-off spots they need to find some consistency. 

After a stunning 3-0 win over Fulham at the start of the month, Hull went into the international break on the back of a narrow home defeat to West Bromwich Albion.

Manager Grant McCann has adapted to life in the Championship respectably and will be hoping his side can build on positive results such as the win at Fulham.

If City were to find some consistency it wouldn't be too unrealistic to suggest the Tigers could be sniffing around a play-off spot towards the end of the season.

Here we take a look at five Hull players who are invaluable to manager Grant McCann...

Eric Lichaj arrived at the KCOM Stadium last summer on a two-year-deal from Nottingham Forest and featured in 39 of City's league games last season.

So far this term, the American defender has played 14 out of the 16 league games this term, captaining McCann's side in each of his appearances.

The 31-year-old has 242 Championship appearances under his belt a long with 32 Premier League appearances and adds experience to City's relatively young side.

As well as marshalling the defence, Lichaj will is proving to be a key experienced figure in McCann's side.

Like Lichaj, Jordy de Wijs joined City last summer arriving at the KCOM from Dutch side PSV.

The 24-year-old made 39 appearances for the Tigers last season and has featured in all but one of their league fixtures so far this term.

The centre-back is arguably one of McCann's first names on the team-sheet and his solid defensive displays saw City win three of their four matches prior to the international break, keeping two clean sheets.

Jordy de Wijs has so far formed a steady partnership with 23-year-old Reece Burke and McCann will continue to look to the de Wijs to lead his youthful defence.

The 26-year-old has featured in all but one of City's league matches so far this term, chipping in with a goal and two assists in that time.

Since arriving from Burton Albion in 2017, Irvine has been a regular feature in the Tigers midfield, making 91 appearances so far for the club.

This term the Australian international has continued to impress in the heart of midfield and is quick to break up play and convert defence into attack, and boasts an average match rating of 7.02 on whoscored.com.

Irvine has captained the side on two occasions so far this term and with 132 Championship appearances under his belt is an invaluable, experienced member of McCann's side.

The Polish international is in his fourth full season with the club and has become a firm fans favourite scoring 23 goals and providing 25 assists in that time.

At 31, Grosicki has shown no sign of slowing down so far this term, with five goals and two assists already to his name.

What has been key to Hull's good performances this season has been the effectiveness of him and fellow winger Jarrod Bowen with the pair managing 14 goals between them so far this term.

City are quick on the counter-attack and can be deadly in front of goal and Grosicki is a big part of the way they execute their game-plan.

Jarrod Bowen has without doubt been City's standout player over the last couple of years, and has scored 47 goals in 116 appearances for the side.

It is no surprise that in recent months Bowen has been linked with a Premier League move but despite this he hasn't been deterred from doing what he does best.

The 22-year-old winger has already netted nine league goals for the Tigers this term and is the club's current top-scorer.

Bowen, however, has yet to sign a new contract with the club having been offered an improved deal in October.

He is without doubt, City's star-man and despite being linked with a move away from the KCOM, is the most invaluable player in Grant McCann's squad.