Bullard blow for Hull

Jimmy Bullard has been ruled out for the rest of the season following major knee surgery, just a month after becoming Hull City's record signing. The midfielder, who cost £5 million (Dh15.8m) from Fulham during the January transfer window, is recovering from ligament reconstruction surgery. Bullard, 30, travelled to the United States earlier this week for an operation after jarring his knee on his Hull debut against West Ham last month.

The club had hoped the procedure, conducted by the same surgeon who operated on the player in 2006, would be minor but the injury has proved far worse than first feared. Bullard spent 16 months on the sidelines after a major operation on the same knee in September 2006. He returned to action to play a key role in Fulham's escape from relegation last year but left Craven Cottage after failing to agree a new contract.

*With agencies