Jake Livermore set to return for Hull after escaping drug ban

Jake Livermore could return for Hull for the first time since May

JAKE LIVERMORE could make his competitive comeback when Hull host Swansea in the third round of the Capital One Cup tonight.

 

Livermore has not played since May, when details emerged of a positive in-game test for cocaine.

After an investigation the Football Association decided this month not to ban the 25-year-old due to mitigating circumstances relating to the death of his newborn son.

Livermore, who had been keeping a rigid solo training regime, is eager to play again having returned to the Tigers fold.

 

"Jake has come in and wants to get back playing again," said manager Steve Bruce. "I will speak to my medical team and my staff, whether I put Jake in on Tuesday, I'll make up my mind in the next 24 hours."

Swansea manager Garry Monk, meanwhile, has reassured Franck Tabanou that he has a big role to play at Swansea.

Left-back Tabanou joined the Swans in a £3.5million move from St Etienne during the summer to compete with Neil Taylor. But the 26-year-old Frenchman has yet to play a minute in the Premier League and was not included in the matchday squads for the fixtures against Newcastle, Sunderland, Watford and Everton.

However, Tabanou will get his chance in the third-round tie against the Tigers tonight and Monk said: "Franck deserves to be in the matchday squad. I have been very happy with him, he has been working in a good way. There are improvements to make, of course, but he knows what I am looking for."