Hull are awaiting news on the injury sustained by Aaron Connolly on Friday night, after the Irishman was flattened by a shocking challenge from Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
Connolly started up front for the Tigers for the Championship game, after an impressive run of form which had seen him score three goals in his previous five appearances in the league.
His evening was brought to a premature end after just 14 minutes, however, after Norwich 'keeper Gunn came flying out of his goal and flattened the ex-Brighton man.
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Aaron Connolly injured in horror challenge by Norwich goalkeeper
Aaron Connolly was in the wars early on at the MKM Stadium, with his Ireland teammate Shane Duffy hitting him with a heavy challenge in the opening stages of the game - similar to the massive tackle he left on Connolly in the reverse fixture in August.
Worse was to come for Connolly, though, and the tackle which saw him withdrawn after only a quarter of an hour was an absolute shocker.
With a looping long ball coming over the head of Connolly, Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn charged out of his goal in an attempt to deal with the danger. Though Gunn did indeed get the ball, his leap to head it away took him straight into Connolly.
An airborne Gunn slammed into Connolly's face and chest with his knee and elbow, leaving the Galwegian sprawled on the surface.
The referee in Norwich v Hull City saw this incident and decided it was a foul by Aaron Connolly.pic.twitter.com/tBKJEp4Vps
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) January 12, 2024
No surprise that Aaron Connolly was withdrawn but, astonishingly, Gunn avoided punishment for the incident. In fact, a free kick was awarded against Connolly for the pleasure of having been taken out unawares at high speed.
Hull manager Liam Rosenior was fuming at full time, saying that he could not understand how a foul had been given against Connolly. He also revealed that Connolly had sustained "damage to his shoulder" and that the medical team would have to assess him for a possible concussion:
It's a clear foul. It's not even a discussion.
We’re going to have to assess him in terms of concussion. We don’t know if he’s concussed yet but we have to assess him. He’s got damage to his shoulder.
It is particularly frustrating timing, with Connolly starting to hit a decent run of form as Hull look to move into the play-off places.
They were not helped by the final score on Friday, with Norwich running out 2-1 winners away from home to move within one point of their opponents. Hull sit 7th and just outside the play-offs, with Norwich one place further back.
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