Bruce pins hopes on Jelavic
Hull boss Steve Bruce is convinced Nikica Jelavic can return to save his side from relegation, starting with Saturday's crucial Barclays Premier League clash with Burnley.
Bruce insists the Tigers would not have faced such a nervous end to the campaign had the Croatian - their leading scorer with eight goals - not been laid low with a knee injury for long periods.
Jelavic was on the bench for Monday night's home defeat to Arsenal and Bruce faces the "awkward and horrible" decision of whether to risk him from the start against the Clarets.
Bruce said: "It's a decision I've got to take and I hope I pick the right one.
"It's typical of Jelavic - he's had two operations on his knee but he was determined to play a part in the run-in so he has made himself available and gives us another option.
"Our problems this season coincided with the loss of Jelavic. He came in and scored eight goals in 15 games and if he hadn't been injured I don't think we'd have been in the problems we are in."
Jelavic could start in place of Sone Aluko, who was ineffective in the loss to the Gunners which left the Tigers teetering one point above the drop zone and ended a run of two straight wins.
Andy Robertson and David Meyler are also pushing to start but Mohamed Diame, who has made just two substitute appearances since December, will miss the rest of the campaign to undergo knee surgery in France.
Bruce sought to play down the importance of the clash with Sean Dyche's surely-doomed visitors, insisting it is likely to take more than three points at the weekend to make his side safe.
Bruce added: "We realise the importance of this match and a win would put us in a really healthy situation but it is not going to be defining.
"We have just struggled to predict the result of an election so how can we look to predict this - it's been so up-and-down it's ridiculous.
"It wouldn't surprise me if it went down to the wire and we've got to be ready for that. My gut feeling is we are going to need a couple of results.
"We've had a really difficult week with the Arsenal result, but the performances against Palace and Liverpool in particular were excellent and if we keep up to those standards I think we have a hell of a chance."
Defender Michael Duff claims Burnley are still alive and kicking in their now desperate battle for survival.
The Clarets, bottom of the table after six games without a win, will be relegated back to the Championship if they fail to beat Hull.
Burnley have earned plenty of plaudits for their battling performances this season but a lack of goals has undermined their chances, with just one being scored in nine games.
Duff insists spirits have not sagged and the squad will give everything in one final, seemingly unlikely, push to maintain top-flight status.
The 37-year-old said: "It is hard to explain to people on the outside but, at any point during the season, if you'd have walked into the dressing room and been told this group was around the bottom of the table, it would have been hard to believe.
"That's because there's such positivity and that won't change. We are still alive and we're still kicking.
"It is going to be hard. We are under no illusions where we are or what we have to do. We are fully aware of what we need to do but whilst there's a chance there's still positivity."
Duff is available after his red card against West Ham last week was rescinded. Striker Sam Vokes is rated "touch and go" by manager Sean Dyche due to a minor hip and thigh injury.
Defender Kevin Long and midfielder Dean Marney are both long-term absentees with knee injuries.
Source: PAR
