EFL makes a transfer decision following Hull City’s request to sign Yu Hirakawa.

The English Football League has rejected a request from Hull City to make a change to their registered squad involving Yu Hirakawa and David Akintola, creating a complication in the club’s plans to strengthen their options for the remainder of the season.

Yu Hirakawa sustained a serious ankle injury the win over Derby County last month(Image: Alfie Cosgrove/News Images)

Hull had hoped to remove Hirakawa from their official squad list and register Akintola instead. The move was proposed after the Japanese winger suffered an ankle injury that is expected to keep him out for an extended period.

However, the league’s governing body has declined the request for the time being. According to the EFL, the club must first provide clear medical confirmation that Hirakawa will be unavailable for the rest of the EFL Championship campaign before such a change can be approved.

If doctors eventually determine that Hirakawa’s injury will indeed rule him out for the remainder of the season, then Hull may still be able to proceed with their plan. Under those circumstances, the club could potentially remove him from their squad registration and add Akintola as a replacement.

At present, Hull’s official 25-man squad is not completely full. The list currently includes 23 registered players, meaning two positions remain open. Those spaces are expected to be filled by Mohamed Belloumi and Eliot Matazo.

Belloumi has recently returned to full training after recovering from injury and is now approaching a return to the first-team group. Meanwhile, Matazo has already taken an important step toward his comeback after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The Belgian midfielder recently played in an Under-21 match against Peterborough United, marking his first appearance after nearly a year out with injury. His participation in that fixture signals that he is gradually working his way back toward senior involvement.

Hirakawa’s injury occurred during Hull’s victory over Derby County last month. During that match, the winger sustained damage to his ankle that initially raised serious concerns.

Early assessments suggested that the problem might require surgery. If an operation had been necessary, the recovery period could have stretched to around four months. Such a timeline would not only have ruled him out for the rest of the domestic season but could also have jeopardized his chances of playing in the upcoming international tournament this summer.

At the moment, though, the situation remains uncertain. Hull head coach Sergej Jakirovic has explained that no final decision has yet been taken regarding whether Hirakawa will undergo surgery.

The winger and his representatives are continuing to discuss the matter with his parent club, Bristol City. Because Hirakawa is currently on loan, the Championship side must remain involved in any medical or treatment decisions that could affect his long-term fitness.

Jakirovic revealed that the latest information he had received suggested that Hirakawa was attempting to avoid surgery if possible. If the player ultimately chooses that route, Hull and Bristol City will support his decision.

According to the manager, a non-surgical recovery would likely mean that Hirakawa would spend somewhere between seven and nine weeks on the sidelines while his ankle heals.

The injury has added extra concern because it affects the same ankle that has previously caused the winger trouble. Recurring problems in that area can sometimes make recovery more complicated.

Another important factor influencing the situation is Hirakawa’s international ambitions. The winger is eager to represent his country at the next global tournament, and that objective may play a role in determining which treatment option he ultimately chooses.

Jakirovic acknowledged that players with the chance to compete at a major international competition will do everything possible to ensure they remain available for selection.

For Hull, the uncertainty surrounding Hirakawa’s recovery timeline is the key obstacle preventing them from completing the proposed squad change. The EFL’s rules require solid medical evidence before a player can be removed from the squad due to long-term injury.

Until that documentation proves the winger will miss the remainder of the campaign, the league will not authorize his deregistration.

Jakirovic confirmed that the club had already contacted the EFL in an attempt to resolve the situation. However, the governing body rejected their initial approach.

The manager explained that the decision largely comes down to the expected length of Hirakawa’s absence. If medical reports confirm that he will be out for longer than eight weeks, then the club may have stronger grounds to request the change again.

To reach that stage, Hull must submit detailed medical records and supporting evidence from doctors verifying the seriousness of the injury and the projected recovery period.

Without those documents, the EFL will not approve the alteration to the squad list.

Despite the setback, Jakirovic remains hopeful that discussions with the league will continue. He believes there is still a possibility that the situation could change if new medical information becomes available.

From the manager’s perspective, however, Hirakawa’s season may already be effectively over. Based on the current estimates of eight or nine weeks of recovery time, the winger may struggle to return before the campaign concludes.

Jakirovic admitted that while a comeback is theoretically possible, he is not particularly optimistic about the timeline. In his experience, injuries often take slightly longer to heal than the initial forecasts suggest.

That pattern has created frustration within the squad, as recovery periods frequently extend beyond what medical staff first anticipate.

For now, Hull must wait for further developments regarding Hirakawa’s treatment plan and medical evaluation. Only once the full extent of his absence is officially confirmed will the club know whether they can successfully add Akintola to their squad before the season ends.

Birmingham City to sack Chris Davies after Tom Wagner told him ‘he has failed’ (Fans View)

This piece forms part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ feature, where FLW Fan Pundits share their personal takes on the latest news, developments, managers, players and transfer links across the EFL.

Although there had been signs of progress in recent weeks, Birmingham City’s hopes of securing a Championship play-off spot have suffered a significant setback over the past few days.

On February 21st, the Blues produced what many supporters described as a statement 2-1 victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road. It marked the first time in 24 years that the West Midlands outfit had claimed all three points away to the Canaries, who have shown renewed energy under Philippe Clement.

A seven-match unbeaten run in the league had propelled Birmingham to within two points of fellow promoted side Wrexham in sixth position. However, successive defeats against Millwall and Middlesbrough have widened that gap back to eight points with 11 fixtures remaining.

History suggests that such a margin is not impossible to overcome. Nonetheless, Davies’ remarks following the 3-1 home defeat to Boro at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park hinted that only another sustained and exceptional run would give his team a realistic chance of finishing in the top six.

Davies’ spell in B9 has been something of a rollercoaster in what represents his first role as a full-time head coach. While he masterminded a record-breaking EFL League One campaign last season, amassing an extraordinary 111 points, questions remain over whether he is the right figure to take Birmingham to the next level in line with Knighthead’s ambitious long-term vision.

‘Failed’ Chris Davies claim issued amid potential Birmingham City, Tom Wagner sack call

At various stages throughout the season, Davies’ position has appeared uncertain, yet he has consistently retained the backing of owner Tom Wagner, who has placed faith in him to steady the ship.

The 40-year-old once again received strong support in the winter transfer window, with six new arrivals bolstering the squad. In addition, the club converted Patrick Roberts’ loan from Sunderland into a permanent signing.

Despite that investment, Football League World’s Birmingham City fan pundit Jason Moore believes Davies is not the right man to guide the club forward in pursuit of their Premier League aspirations. Moore argues that tactical shortcomings are the central issue.

When asked whether Davies is the correct appointment for the future, Moore was unequivocal. In his view, the current head coach lacks the tactical acumen required to outmanoeuvre rival managers in the Championship, let alone compete at Premier League level.

Moore acknowledged that Davies pays close attention to structural details within his preferred system. However, he feels the manager is unable to adapt when confronted with different challenges. According to the fan pundit, Birmingham’s squad — considering the financial backing and recruitment — should be performing at a higher level than it currently is.

He suggested that, man for man, Birmingham’s squad surpasses those of Millwall, Hull and Wrexham. The only advantage he concedes to those sides is their greater Championship experience. Aside from that, Moore believes Birmingham possess superior quality and that Davies has fallen short of expectations.

A further criticism centres on what Moore describes as Davies being a coach with a single approach. If his primary plan does not succeed, Moore claims the manager tends to make like-for-like substitutions rather than altering the tactical setup or introducing a genuine “Plan B.”

For that reason, Moore does not see Davies as a long-term solution. He even suggested that he would not be shocked if the club’s ownership opted to part ways with the head coach in the summer, especially if Birmingham fail to secure a play-off berth.

With promotion via the play-offs now looking increasingly unlikely, the coming weeks could prove decisive for Davies’ tenure.

Chris Davies’ Birmingham City future could be at stake in the final 11 games

As things stand, Birmingham’s hopes of closing the gap to the top six are slim but not entirely extinguished. Achieving that objective, however, would require a near-flawless run from this point onward.

Their record against teams currently occupying the play-off positions does not inspire great confidence. From nine previous meetings with top-six opposition, they have managed just two victories — both secured at St Andrew’s against Coventry City and Millwall.

The schedule ahead remains demanding. Birmingham are still set to face several promotion contenders, including Hull, Wrexham, Derby County, Bristol City and Preston North End in the weeks to come.

Given the level of financial commitment from Knighthead and the bold ambitions outlined by ownership, scrutiny on both the team and Davies has intensified. Significant resources have been invested in reshaping the squad, and expectations of rapid progress have naturally followed.

Should Birmingham fall short of the play-offs over the final two months of the campaign, it would not be surprising if the hierarchy began reassessing the managerial position once again. The project is geared toward returning the club to the Premier League, and patience may be limited if the current trajectory fails to align with those objectives.

Ultimately, the final 11 matches of the season may determine whether Davies is entrusted with leading Birmingham into the 2026/27 campaign — or whether Wagner and the board decide a new voice is required to fulfil their lofty ambitions.

“Relieved it’s finished”: Josh Sargent opens up after Norwich City F.C. exit confirmed in £20m switch

Josh Sargent has officially completed his move away from Norwich City, bringing an end to a turbulent transfer saga that overshadowed the final chapter of his time at Carrow Road. The American forward has now joined Toronto FC in a deal worth up to £20 million, and he has admitted he feels relieved to finally close the door on a difficult episode.

Sargent departs Norfolk after four-and-a-half years with the Canaries, returning to North America to continue his career in Major League Soccer. While his spell with Norwich featured plenty of positive moments and strong individual contributions, the manner of his exit has significantly altered how his tenure will be remembered.

Transfer drama overshadowed successful spell

Despite enjoying a largely productive run at Norwich, the striker’s relationship with the club deteriorated rapidly during the closing stages of his stay. The situation escalated when Sargent made himself unavailable for selection under manager Philippe Clement, a move that reportedly stunned the coaching staff.

A tense meeting involving Sargent, Clement and sporting director Ben Knapper pushed matters beyond repair. What might have been a routine transfer request instead spiralled into a public and heated dispute, effectively ending any possibility of reconciliation.

With the deal now finalised, Sargent has spoken about his desire to move forward. In comments to GOAL, the 26-year-old acknowledged the drama but made clear he wants to focus solely on the future.

“It’s been a lot going on,” Sargent said. “I think everybody has seen the drama and whatnot happening, and I don’t want to talk too much about the stuff that’s happened at Norwich because, to be honest, I just want to move on from that. I’m just happy to be here and relieved that it’s all over. I just want to play games again as soon as possible.”

No clear winners in messy separation

While reports suggested Sargent had been sidelined by Clement, the origins of the dispute appear rooted in the striker’s own actions. He informed Norwich via text message that he would not make himself available for selection, seemingly in an effort to force through a move.

Prior to that moment, Sargent had actually started every Championship fixture of the season. However, his goal return had dipped to just two goals in 19 matches, adding further scrutiny to his form.

The fallout was swift. Clement publicly addressed Sargent’s refusal, something well within his managerial rights, but it ensured the dispute unfolded in full view of supporters and media alike. The reported heated confrontation between the player, the manager and Knapper further inflamed tensions, with claims that personal matters, including references to Sargent’s family, intensified the breakdown.

In the end, neither side emerged entirely unscathed. Sargent secured the transfer he was pushing for, but the manner of his departure eroded much of the goodwill he had built among the Norwich faithful. Likewise, the club’s handling of the situation invited criticism, making it an uncomfortable episode for all involved.

Reflecting on Sargent’s Norwich numbers

On the pitch, Sargent’s overall contribution across his Norwich career was significant. In total, he made 157 appearances for the club, scoring 56 goals and registering 15 assists.

Those figures underline his importance during his time at Carrow Road. At his best, he was a focal point of the attack and a reliable source of goals. However, the final months of tension have undeniably complicated how his legacy will be viewed in Norfolk.

Toronto challenge awaits

With the move complete, Sargent’s attention now shifts fully to life in MLS. Toronto FC have already begun their campaign, though they have endured a difficult start with two defeats from two matches. They face FC Cincinnati next, providing Sargent with an immediate opportunity to make an impact in his new surroundings.

For the striker, the appeal is clear: regular football, a fresh environment, and distance from the controversy that consumed his final weeks in England.

Norwich reshaping their attack

Back at Norwich, attention has already turned to the next generation of forwards. Jovon Makama has stepped up impressively in Sargent’s absence, showing maturity and promise beyond his years. Meanwhile, winter arrival Mo Touré has also made a positive early impression since joining.

Touré has since found himself sidelined, leaving Mathias Kvistgaarden as the only fully fit senior striker in the squad. The Dane’s debut season with Norwich has been somewhat disrupted, yet his prior achievements and clear potential continue to generate optimism about his long-term impact.

In many respects, Norwich appear well positioned to transition into a new attacking era. The emergence of younger options and the financial injection from Sargent’s sale provide both sporting and economic breathing room.

A chapter closed for both sides

For Sargent, the priority is simple: playing regularly and rediscovering his best form. For Norwich, the focus lies in rebuilding harmony and pushing forward without distraction.

While the circumstances of the split were far from ideal, both parties now have the opportunity to reset. Sargent has achieved the move he sought, and Norwich have secured a substantial fee while accelerating the development of new attacking talents.

Ultimately, what could have been a fond farewell turned into a public saga. Yet with the deal now completed, the narrative shifts toward fresh beginnings — in Toronto for Sargent, and in Norfolk for a club determined to move ahead without him.