Hull City manager Grant McCann has given an update on the fitness of striker Tom Eaves, as the team continue their preparations for the start of the new season.

The 27-year-old joined Hull on a free transfer earlier this summer, signing a three-year contract at the KCOM Stadium after he turned down a new deal at Gillingham, where he scored 40 goals over the past two seasons.

The centre-forward got his first taste of pre-season action for the Tigers at the weekend when he played the opening 45 minutes of the 2-2 draw at Mansfield Town.

The striker suffered a minor groin strain during the pre-season friendly and was substituted by McCann at half-time, but he is not expected to miss Wednesday night’s home game against Amiens or the trip to Doncaster Rovers this weekend.

McCann has revealed that it was just a precaution to substitute Eaves at the weekend, as the striker works his way back to full fitness ahead of the new season.

“Tom has a really tough 10 days since he came in,” said McCann, as quoted by the Hull Daily Mail.

“He’s been a free agent and hadn’t done too much over the summer. He wanted to keep himself right and didn’t want to get injured.

“So we’ve worked really hard with Tom. I wouldn’t judge him in games because he’s very heavy legged at the moment.

“The games are important for him so he can get as many minutes as he can.

“He felt a bit stiff in his groin (against Mansfield) so it was just precaution to take him off. He’ll be a good signing for us.”

McCann took charge at the KCOM Stadium last month, following Nigel Adkins' decision to leave the club, after he turned down the offer of a new contract.

The Tigers' new head coach has already made four new signings so far this summer, as he looks to build a team that can challenge for the play-offs next season.

Hull have signed QPR goalkeeper Matt Ingram, free agent defender Ryan Tafazolli and Eaves on permanent deals, as well as Everton winger Bowler on loan.

The Verdict

I think Eaves will turn out to be a good signing for Hull. He was a free agent and will have missed a decent amount of pre-season training, so it's important that McCann is careful with him.

It doesn't appear as though the minor groin injury he suffered against Mansfield at the weekend is anything for Hull fans to worry about, but it was probably a sensible decision for McCann to take him off.

All Eaves can do now is continue to work hard during pre-season training and hope that he is given an opportunity to get some more valuable minutes in the bank in their final two friendly matches.