Hull boss Iain Dowie will be without Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink for tomorrow’s must-win match against Sunderland but Anthony Gardner returns in defence.

ASTON VILLA boosted their Champions League hopes and dealt Hull’s survival chances a potentially fatal blow with a deserved victory at the KC Stadium last night.

Hull boss Iain Dowie will not risk defender Anthony Gardner against Aston Villa tomorrow.

Hull boss Iain Dowie is confident defender Andy Dawson will be fit for tomorrow’s crunch Premier League clash against Birmingham at St Andrew’s.

George Boateng has been given a 45% chance of playing in Hull’s Barclays Premier League relegation battle with Burnley tomorrow.

Ibrahima Sonko will be forced back onto the sidelines for Hull’s trip to his parent club Stoke tomorrow.

Iain Dowie will make his first team selection as Hull manager for the Tigers’ vital trip to Portsmouth tomorrow.

Hull manager Phil Brown is set to retain Jimmy Bullard and Nick Barmby in his squad for the visit of Arsenal on Saturday evening despite their bust-up this week.

Republic of Ireland winger Stephen Hunt is doubtful for Hull's Premier League match against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has made two changes for the visit of Hull in the Premier League at Upton Park.

Hull manager Phil Brown may call on midfielder Jimmy Bullard for only the sixth time since his £5m move from Fulham last January in tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash at West Ham.

Hull manager Phil Brown is hopeful Andy Dawson and George Boateng will be fit for the Premier League clash with Blackburn at Ewood Park tomorrow.

Hull forward Geovanni will be unavailable to face former team Manchester City tomorrow after suffering a minor medial ligament problem.

HULL’S Irish midfielder Stephen Hunt scored twice in the last 19 minutes as Bolton’s defensive deficiencies allowed the Tigers to snatch a point in a 2-2 draw at the Reebok Stadium.

Hull have a number of fitness concerns ahead of tomorrow’s crucial Barclays Premier League trip to Bolton.

ANDY DAWSON handed Sir Alex Ferguson a belated Christmas present with a second half own goal at the KC Stadium to help gift Manchester United what could prove to be a crucial victory in the race for the Premier League title.

Hull 1 Manchester United 3

Manchester United welcomed back a clutch of key defenders for this afternoon’s Barclays Premier League clash at Hull.

Hull expect to have veteran midfielder Nick Barmby available for the visit of Barclays Premier League champions Manchester United on Sunday.

Hull have no fresh injury concerns ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League trip to Arsenal.

Hull have injury doubts over defenders Anthony Gardner and Andy Dawson for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash against Blackburn.

Hull are again without midfielder Seyi Olofinjana as they travel to Aston Villa in the Premier League tomorrow.

PHIL BROWN can breathe again.

Hull City 2 Stoke City 1

Geovanni and Boaz Myhill will miss Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash against Stoke at the KC Stadium.

Burnley 2 Hull 0

Troubled Hull will be without goalkeeper Boaz Myhill for tomorrow’s vital trip to Burnley.

Hull 0 Portsmouth 0

Record signing Jimmy Bullard could make his first Hull start in tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash against Portsmouth at the KC Stadium.

Hull record signing Jimmy Bullard is poised to make his long-awaited comeback in the Barclays Premier League match away to his old club Fulham.

Hull will again check on the fitness of defender Anthony Gardner ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League clash against Wigan.

Liverpool winger Albert Riera returned to the starting line-up to face Hull at Anfield as manager Rafael Benitez made just one change from the side which beat West Ham 3-2 last weekend.

Hull defender Anthony Gardner could be back in contention for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Liverpool.

Hull are likely to make a number of changes for tomorrow’s Carling Cup third-round tie against Everton at the KC Stadium.

Hull 0 Birmingham 1

Hull could hand a first start to Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink against Birmingham in the Barclays Premier League tomorrow.

Hull are likely to make a number of changes for tomorrow’s Carling Cup clash with Southend.

JERMAIN DEFOE hit a superb hat-trick as Tottenham went top of the Barclays Premier League with a resounding win at Hull last night.

Hull midfielder Dean Marney will miss tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash against former club Tottenham at the KC Stadium with a knee injury.

Hull manager Phil Brown could hand debuts to all four summer signings when his side visit Chelsea in the first match of the Barclays Premier League season tomorrow lunchtime.

Hull have completed the signing of Nigerian midfielder Seyi Olofinjana from Stoke, the Potteries club have confirmed.

Stoke midfielder Seyi Olofinjana is on the verge of a £3m move to Barclays Premier League rivals Hull.

THERE were new faces aplenty in the Irish side which shared the honours with Nigeria on the banks of the Thames last night but it was the old boys who shone the brightest, Robbie Keane scoring again for his country, Richard Dunne dominating at the back and Liam Miller having a fine game in the centre of the park.

Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni handed debuts to five players in his starting XI for the friendly against Nigeria at Craven Cottage.