Source: SKY_Sports
Duffen defends Bullard deal
Hull City chairman Paul Duffen has insisted that signing Jimmy Bullard was not a major gamble.[LNB] The midfielder arrived at the KC Stadium in a £5million deal in January but he will now miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery in America on Wednesday.[LNB]Bullard picked up his latest problem during City's match against West Ham and it turned out to be more serious than initially feared.[LNB]"Jimmy underwent a procedure last night with Dr Richard Steadman in Denver to address a small tear he had on his cartilage," Duffen explained to Sky Sports News.[LNB]"Whilst in there, under the arthroscopy, the surgeon noticed that he had some fresh bleeding from an anterior cruciate ligament trauma[LNB]"This was obviously a new injury and the decision was made to reconstruct that ligament."[LNB]UnfortunateBullard was sidelined for 18 months after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury whilst playing for Fulham in 2006.[LNB]He had made a successful return to action and Duffen does not regret the decision to move for him during the transfer window.[LNB]The Tigers have tied Bullard to a long-term contract and Duffen hopes he will have a successful career with the club.[LNB]Asked if it was a gamble to bring in Bullard, Duffen replied: "No more than signing any footballer. Jimmy had an operation but since then he's played 45 games. He played three games in December and he played on Boxing Day.[LNB]"It is just a really unfortunate piece of timing that he got injured at West Ham when he was on the pitch in a Hull City shirt for the first time.[LNB]"It is very disappointing but we signed him for four-and-a-half years and the important thing is that we can look forward to welcoming Jimmy back as a new signing all over again next season.[LNB]"This isn't a career-ending injury, it's a setback. Reconstructions like this are routine and he is in the hands of the best renowned surgeon in the world so I am sure we will see Jimmy back before too long."[LNB]MedicalDuffen believes the latest operation should see Bullard overcome his knee problems once and for all. [LNB]Questioned about how Bullard passed a medical, Duffen added: "He didn't have crocked knees when he came. He passed the medical because the MRI scan showed the knee was fine, there was no damage to it.[LNB]"He injured his knee at West Ham and for us that is bad luck. There was no reason to believe Jimmy would be injured so soon in his Hull City career.[LNB]"Jimmy's value still remains. We have signed him for four-and-a-half years and I think he will be back stronger and better with a permanent fix to this problem."[LNB]
