Anthony Gardner expects to return to first team action for Hull City within the next fortnight. That is the assessment from Tigers manager Phil Brown after the former Tottenham Hotspurs centre back began training again.

Gardner has been sidelined since September with a troublesome thigh problem. His return will be a big boost for the team as they look to recover from a run that has seen the team not win in the last six games.

Brown said “Anthony Gardner is making good strides, but you're looking at a couple of months now that he's been out…He'll need a match or two either behind closed doors or in the reserves.”

Brown also revealed that former Derby County striker Craig Fagan is close to a comeback after breaking his leg in September.