Bullard is Hull's special reserve as midfielder moves closer to comeback

24 February 2010 11:32
Hull talisman Jimmy Bullard made a goalscoring return to action with the reserves on Tuesday.   [LNB]The key midfielder has not featured for the Tigers since suffering knee ligament damage in the defeat at Aston Villa on December 5.   [LNB]Manager Phil Brown had hoped the 31-year-old would be fit to rejoin the club's Barclays Premier League relegation battle before the end of January.   [LNB] Agony: Bullard had to be helped from the pitch at Villa Park[LNB]That assessment proved optimistic but Bullard is now closing in on a return and could make the trip to Everton on March 7.   [LNB]He stepped up his comeback by playing for an hour and opening the scoring in Hull's 3-0 reserve victory over Wigan at North Ferriby.   [LNB]Bullard struck after flicking up a tapped free-kick and volleying home in the first half.[LNB] His outing was reminiscent of the last time he came back from injury and scored for the reserves in October 2009.   [LNB]  He returned to first-team action soon after and sparked an upturn in the club's fortunes with a series of performances that earned him he Premier League player-of-the-month award for November.   [LNB]His latest injury led to fears of another lengthy lay-off after two major knee operations since September 2006 but the problem affected his other knee and was not as serious.   [LNB]With Hull not in Premier League action this weekend, Bullard will now hope to feature in a friendly against Galway United on Friday.  [LNB] Hull City captain Anthony Gardner out for two months with ligament damageWest Ham 3 Hull 0: Upton spark Diamanti delivers for Hammers againCaptain crock: Fears over Ferdinand as Man United stars misses Cup finalEXCLUSIVE: D-Day for Cole! Roman fury could see Ashley axed over scandalHULL CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail