Tigers sweat on defensive duo

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

Gardner (knee) and Dawson (thigh) have both missed training this week but manager Phil Brown believes they could be fit for the KC Stadium clash.

Midfielder Seyi Olofinjana is back in contention after missing four games with a hamstring injury. His return could help to offset the loss of star player Jimmy Bullard (knee), who faces six to eight weeks on the sidelines.

Full-back or winger Bernard Mendy has recovered from a leg problem and Brown may consider recalling fit-again goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.

Olofinjana’s return, however, could be short-lived with Nigeria wanting the player to report early for international duty ahead of the African Nations Cup, which starts on January 10.

Hull at least want Olofinjana available to face Wigan in the FA Cup on January 2 but Nigeria have asked for him a week earlier.

Manager Phil Brown said: “The Nigerian Football Federation are asking for Seyi Olofinjana as early as December 27.

“We are currently trying to contact the administrators and negotiate to try to extend his stay beyond the Wigan game.”

Out-of-favour striker Daniel Cousin (Gabon) and forward Kamel Ghilas (Algeria) are also likely to be involved in the tournament.

Provisional squad: Duke, McShane, Zayatte, Gardner, Dawson, Garcia, Marney, Boateng, Olofinjana, Hunt, Altidore, Mendy, Mouyokolo, Kilbane, Barmby, Cairney, Ghilas, Geovanni, Fagan, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Myhill.