Hull boss Phil Brown is confident Jimmy Bullard will return from injury in time to play some part in the Tigers game with Wolves at the end of January. The energetic midfielder suffered yet more knee trouble against Aston Villa at the start of December and was immediately ruled out for six to eight weeks.

Bullard's return from knee ligament damage in October coincided with the Tigers' best run of results all season and Brown will be determined to make sure his charge is available when Wolves, who are level on points with Hull, visit the KC Stadium.

"Jimmy has come away with us (to Tenerife) and we'll be condensing his work to two or three sessions a day for a full week, and hopefully then he'll get back in the group," he said.

"With the Manchester United game being brought forward three days, that probably puts Jimmy at too much a risk.

"But I'm still confident that Jimmy will play some part in the Wolves game."