Iain Dowie says Anthony Gardner will not be risked by Hull (11/4 in totesport’s match betting) in Wednesday’s clash with Aston Villa (20/21), but the defender could be available this weekend.
Former Tottenham man Gardner has been sidelined for two months with an ankle problem and has returned to training this week.
But Dowie believes Wednesday’s big game at the KC Stadium will come too soon and is hoping Gardner may be fit enough to face Sunderland on Saturday.
Victory for the Tigers in their game in hand will see them go level on points with fourth-bottom West Ham and Dowie remains upbeat about the prospects of survival – with Hull 1/5 to be relegated.
The Hull chief stated: “If we win our game in hand, if we put decent points on the board in the next two games we’ll be right in the shake-up.
“We’ve got Wigan to play, that’s a crucial game. There’ll be some twists and turns but we’ve got to make sure we look after our business.”
Hull will also be boosted by the fact that two of their last three games will be at home, against Sunderland and Liverpool, where they have lost just three of their last 13 games.
Meanwhile, the Tigers will make late checks on midfielders Dean Marney (illness) and Bernard Mendy (hamstring), but Caleb Folan is set to miss out because of a hip problem.
Wednesday’s match is also vital to Aston Villa’s hopes of sealing European football for next season, with Martin O’Neill refusing to give up on fourth place.
Villa are currently seventh, six points behind Tottenham – who currently sit in the final Champions League place, who still have a derby with Birmingham, home clash with Euro-rivals Manchester City and away date with Blackburn still to come.
O’Neill is to set to name an unchanged side for the trip to the KC Stadium and they will look to build on an impressive defensive record.
Villa have kept six clean sheets in their last 10 away matches and have not conceded in their last four meetings with Hull, including a 1-0 victory at the KC Stadium last season.
The Midlands outfit are seeking a double over the Tigers, having won 3-0 at Villa Park in December, as they look to extend their impressive run which has seen just one defeat in 14 Premier League games.
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