Two bitter disappointments have befallen Hull City and the city of Hull over the last two weeks.   Firstly the Tigers lost talismanic midfielder Jimmy Bullard to a knee injury once more, only weeks after his return to the side had boosted the Tigers’ form. Bullard could be out for up to eight weeks.   And this week it was announced that Hull would not be among the 12 venues in England’s bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

City’s goalless draw at home to fellow strugglers Blackburn Rovers leaves them one point clear of the bottom three. And manager Phil Brown neatly summed up proceedings after the match, saying: “It was a scrappy game for both teams.”

The news that Jimmy Bullard faces another injury lay-off was a serious blow. But the injury is not as bad as feared when he left the Villa Park pitch in tears, early in the Tigers’ 3-0 defeat to Martin O’Neill’s on-form side.

And, to the relief of all at the club, was unconnected to the cruciate ligament injury he suffered in his other knee which kept him out for most of the year since his January move from Fulham.

Bullard was the Premier League’s November player of the month after his energetic displays – and amusing goal celebrations – had galvanised Hull’s season.

But he sprained medial ligaments when he landed awkwardly after contesting a high ball.

However, scans two days later confirmed that the injury will keep Bullard out for six to eight weeks, rather than the eight to nine months of his previous lay-off.

Brown said: “On the negative front we are losing a very good player, but on the other side, it could have been a lot longer.”

And the Tigers’ supremo added: “You talk about popularity – the amount of well-wishers has been fantastic.”

Chairman Adam Pearson said he was “extremely disappointed” that Hull’s KC stadium was this week rejected as a putative venue for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Hull was one of three cities to be turned down, as the FA pruned its short-list of 15 candidates down to 12. Derby and Leicester were the others to miss out. Pearson said:

“We sat here with very high hopes and I think the work that has gone into this bid has been excellent.”

He also expressed his surprise at some of the choices, adding: “We tried to prove that we had put on high-calibre international events. But they decided to go with rather more unproven venues.”

Hull travel to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium this Saturday, the scene of their most famous victory last season.

It was, however, also the scene of an unseemly post-match row after Hull lost there in the FA Cup. But boss Brown believes that is all behind them.

He told the Hull Daily Mail: “It is definitely in the past tense (and) on the way behind.

And, with reference to recent post-match controversies surrounding the Arsenal manager, Brown added: “I will shake hands with Arsene Wenger, of course.”