Hull lose Hunt to a foot injury

Hull’s hopes of avoiding relegation from the English Premier League suffered a setback on Tuesday when leading scorer Stephen Hunt was ruled out of the rest of the season with a foot injury.

The 28-year-old Republic of Ireland international has not played since the 3-0 defeat by West Ham on February 20 but he remains the Tigers’ top scorer this term with six goals.

Hull were hoping Hunt would be fit for the run-in but will now have to do without the former Reading favourite.

Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Burnley left Hull four points adrift of safety with five league matches left to play.

“It’s a big blow,” Hull manager Iain Dowie told the club’s official website. “Whenever you lose your top goalscorer it’s going to be a blow.

“Stephen couldn’t settle down and the pain returned. The surgeon had a look at it and decided to pin a little bone in there.

“It’s disappointing for the lad. I spoke to him this morning and he is bitterly disappointed.

“But we have to get on with things and we need some big players to step up to the plate against Birmingham on Saturday.”