Source: SKY_Sports
Brown admits Bullard fear
Hull City manager Phil Brown confesses the club is in a 'fearful situation' in the wake of record signing Jimmy Bullard's knee injury.[LNB] The Tigers paid Premier League rivals Fulham £5million for the midfielder in the winter transfer window, despite chairman Paul Duffen now revealing that the player was carrying a tear in his cartilage when he signed.[LNB]Bullard - who suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury while playing for Fulham in 2006 which ruled him out for 18 months - has since played only 37 minutes for City and it has now been decided that the 30-year-old requires surgery.[LNB]Doctor Richard Steadman has advised that an operation in America would aid Bullard and the former Wigan and West Ham man has flown to Denver to undergo treatment.[LNB]ResponsibilityAnd Brown recognises that all associated with City will be holding their breath as they await news, telling the Hull Daily Mail: "Of course I understand supporters' fears.[LNB]"And if anyone is in a fearful situation it is Paul Duffen and his investors.[LNB]"As far as I'm concerned, I will take full responsibility for Jimmy being at this club."[LNB]Duffen has confirmed that Bullard's knee was not 100 per cent when January negotiations were taking place with Fulham, but he does not see the move as a gamble.[LNB]Pressure"Jimmy had a very slight tear in his cartilage when he signed. We were aware of this but did not see it as a problem," Duffen added in the Yorkshire Post.[LNB]"Phil Brown played for 13 years in his career with a slight tear in his cartilage and did not have a problem."[LNB]Brown, though, is optimistic Bullard - who had forced his way into the plans of England coach Fabio Capello while at Fulham - will return to full fitness, but does not want to set a date for his comeback.[LNB]"The bottom line is, when Jimmy has this minor operation, and hopefully it is a minor operation, I will be a happy man that Jimmy Bullard is a Hull City player and not a Fulham player," he said.[LNB]"But I don't want to put a time constraint on that because it puts pressure on everyone."[LNB]
