Anthony Gardner will miss a further couple of weeks of Hull City’s season after suffering a pulled thigh muscle in a friendly game designed to give him match fitness.

Gardner has already spent most of his time since a £2.5 Million transfer from Tottenham Hotspurs on the sidelines with niggling injuries that have restricted him to just three first team appearances for his new club. Manager Phil Brown said “Anthony Gardner has pulled his thigh…We played a behind closed-doors game and Anthony has picked up a strain…We're not sure how long he will be out for, it could be a couple of weeks”.

Hull have so far enjoyed their best ever season after victories over Arsenal, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspurs in their debut season in the Premier League. Brown’s side are surprisingly still in the top six in the Premier League as the season moves into November.