Bullard set to end Hull injury nightmare

Hull midfielder Jimmy Bullard is set to end nine months of injury agony by returning to action against his former club Fulham on Monday.

Bullard, 30, suffered a serious knee injury just 37 minutes into his Tigers debut against West Ham in January and was forced to undergo major knee surgery for the second time in his career.

But fears that the five million pounds (5.5 million euros) signing from Fulham may not recover have been allayed and he is ready for first-team action after featuring in two reserve games.

“Whether he starts or not we will have to wait, it is a big decision,” Hull assistant boss Brian Horton said on Friday. “But it is great to see him back.

“He is a quality player and will be a massive plus when he does start a game. We want him back as quickly as we can but he has been out a long time and we can’t rush it.

“We will have to monitor it, it is a long-term picture. We have got to be patient but he can do some tremendous things, he is an outstanding footballer.”