Gardner close to comeback

Hull's Record signing Anthony Gardner is close to making a return from injury. Gardner has been out since mid-September with a thigh injury. Gardner Joined Hull for a fee of 2.5 million in the summer after a short loan Spell. Gardner is still expected to miss the next to games Against Middlesbrough and Liverpool.

Gardner could make his Return Against Lowly Sunderland. He will have a task on his hands though as Zayatte and Turner have been in great Form.

"Anthony Gardner is making good strides, but you're looking at a couple of months now that he's been out," Brown told the Hull Daily Mail.

"He'll need a match or two either behind closed doors or in the reserves - that's the same for Craig Fagan.

"I can't be looking at putting him straight into the first team for Middlesbrough or probably even Liverpool."

Tigers striker Craig Fagan could also be involved in the coming weeks as he nears full fitness after breaking his leg against Newcastle on 13th September.

Brown added: "Come Christmas, it could be two presents waiting for me because they will feel like new players.

"Craig's now back on the training ground with the physio, but he's not had any physical contact. If we can get a full week out of him this week, maybe we could see him on the training ground next week.

"Knowing Craig, he'll be looking at Sunderland which is great news for me. He looks very fit and he was born an athlete, but match fitness is a different thing."