Hull City are almost safe from relegation this season with nine points separating them from the drop with just three games to play.

Once they are mathematically safe, Nigel Adkins will start thinking about his summer business and what he needs to do to ensure that the Tigers are competing at the top end of the table next season rather than scrapping in another relegation battle.

Adkins is likely to spend in the summer if transfer funds are made available to him as he looks to bring in his own players and put a personal stamp on his squad.

With a busy summer ahead, a lot of decisions will have to be made sooner rather than later so that Hull can start properly preparing for the 2018/19 Championship campaign.

Here are three risks that Hull City could take this summer that could pay off in the long term.

Moses Odubajo is finally back training after undergoing three operations and 19 months out injured.

After such a long injury, there are clear and obvious concerns that the former Leyton Orient and Brentford man will not return and be the same player.

But the rapid 24-year-old, who can play as a right back or as a winger, is so good when he is on form that he deserves a chance to re-establish himself in the Hull starting XI if he can prove his fitness in pre-season.

Hull could sign a new striker this season or they could rely on their current options.

Abel Hernandez has returned from a long-term injury and hit seven goals in eight starts as he starts to catch up with 14-goal sensation Jarrod Bowen.

If Hull can keep these two fit all season, they will surely have enough fire power to compete for promotion.

Michael Dawson is a very good defender at Championship level but perhaps Hull could sell him to Nottingham Forest and bring in a younger signing.

They have Angus MacDonald and they could use some funds to bring in a new centre half to partner him.

This would be a risk as Dawson is a solid and experienced defender but at the age of 34, he is entering the final few years of his career.