Jimmy Bullard hopes to be back for Hull City against Wolves.

The former Fulham midfielder has been out for six weeks with a knee injury, but a year after a similar problem ruled him out of The Tigers' survival bid, he is close to returning for Wolves' visit to the KC Stadium on Saturday.

Tigers boss Phil Brown said: "Jimmy Bullard for me is going to be key to our season. When he comes back it will have an impact on players around him because of his exuberance.

"It is exactly the same as the likes of Wayne Rooney gives to the Manchester United team. United have a spattering of exuberance in every player.

"When Jimmy plays, he lends himself to other players around him. That was the difference. When Jimmy played for us two or three months ago, that was the reason we were winning games and creating chances and we need that to come back to the table.

"I am still optimistic that he will play some part in the Wolves game."