Hull City manager Sergej Jakirović provides update on Algerian forward Bachir Belloumi’s injury

Hull City forward Mohamed Bachir Belloumi has suffered another setback after being forced off during his side’s Championship clash with Southampton, though manager Sergej Jakirović has confirmed the issue is not a recurrence of his long-term knee injury.

The 23-year-old Algerian only recently returned to action following an 11-month absence caused by a ruptured cruciate ligament.

His comeback came on 23 August, and he was handed his first start of the season last weekend, marking his fourth senior appearance since rejoining the first-team squad.

However, his involvement was cut short shortly before half-time as he clutched the back of his thigh and signalled that he could not continue.

Jakirović moved quickly to allay fears of another serious problem, explaining that the injury was a muscular issue rather than a relapse of the ligament damage that kept Belloumi sidelined for nearly a year.

“It’s his hamstring. I don’t know how many days it will take. We’ll see,” the Hull City boss told reporters.

The Croatian coach went on to stress that such complications were foreseeable for a player who has spent so long away from competitive football.

“For me, it’s an expected injury, especially after 11 months without football due to a torn cruciate ligament,” Jakirović said.

He noted that players recovering from major knee surgery often experience secondary muscular strains as the surrounding areas adjust to the intensity of high-level matches.

Typically, hamstring injuries can require between two to four weeks of recovery, depending on severity.

While this means Belloumi is unlikely to be sidelined for a lengthy period, it will nevertheless delay his progress at a crucial stage of his career.

His absence also rules out any chance of a call-up to Algeria’s senior squad for the October international window.

Belloumi has previously received invitations to join the national team, first under former coach Djamel Belmadi in October 2023 and later under Vladimir Petkovic in November 2024.

Yet on both occasions, he was unable to feature due to fitness problems, leaving him still waiting for his first senior cap.

With Algeria in the process of refreshing their squad and preparing for future challenges, the winger is widely regarded as one of the potential successors to Riyad Mahrez on the right flank.

The son of Algerian football legend Lakhdar Belloumi, Mohamed Bachir carries both expectation and promise.

His technical skill and attacking instincts have made him a player to watch since his early development, but his career has been repeatedly interrupted by injury setbacks.

Hull City had hoped his full return this season would provide them with an additional creative outlet in the Championship, but his latest problem underlines the challenges of regaining rhythm after such a prolonged absence.

For now, Hull will take a cautious approach to his recovery. The club’s medical team is expected to conduct further assessments in the coming days to determine the precise extent of the hamstring strain and to decide when he can resume training.

Jakirović emphasised that the priority is ensuring the Algerian forward returns fully fit, avoiding unnecessary risks that could prolong his spell on the sidelines.

Belloumi’s situation is a reminder of the difficulties players face when returning from major injuries.

While his latest setback is far less serious than the knee ligament rupture that kept him out for nearly a year, it highlights the careful management required to reintroduce him to regular football.

For both Hull City and Algeria, his long-term fitness remains the ultimate concern.