• Premier League

Hull's Stephen Hunt ruled out for season

Soccernet staff
April 13, 2010
Stephen Hunt is Hull's top scorer © Getty Images
Enlarge

Hull's leading scorer Stephen Hunt has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a foot injury, denting the club's hopes of Premier League survival.

Hunt has not played since the 3-0 defeat by West Ham on February 20 - although he remains the Tigers' top scorer with six goals.

"It's a big blow," said boss Iain Dowie. "Whenever you lose your top goalscorer, it's going to be a blow. Stephen couldn't settle down and the pain returned. he surgeon had a look at it and decided to pin a little bone in there. It's disappointing for the lad. I spoke to him this morning and he is bitterly disappointed."

With the likes of Anthony Gardner and Kamil Zayatte also currently sidelined, Dowie is looking for others to step up in City's five-game fight for survival.

"Hunt, Gardner and Zayatte have been great players for the team whenever I've seen Hull this season. But we have to get on with things and we need some big players to step up to the plate against Birmingham on Saturday."

The woeful 4-1 defeat by Burnley at the weekend left Dowie's side four points from safety with five games remaining.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close