Two Tigers face race against time

25 April 2014 12:31

Injured Hull duo Allan McGregor and Paul McShane are fighting to be fit for the FA Cup final.

Neither player expected to play again this season, with McGregor suffering three broken ribs and a badly damaged kidney against West Ham last month and McShane missing since February 11 due to ankle ligament damage.

But with the Tigers booking a Wembley date against Arsenal on May 17, the pair are attempting to put themselves in contention for the showpiece.

With time running short and only three league matches remaining, starting with Fulham on Saturday, odds remain against either proving their fitness in time.

But Hull manager Steve Bruce is happy to give Scotland goalkeeper McGregor and Republic of Ireland defender McShane every chance.

"Allan is jogging on the training ground and he's making a desperate effort to be fit," said Bruce.

"I'm not going to stop it but obviously he's got three broken ribs and a damaged kidney. Despite that he's doing his very best to be fit for the FA Cup final.

"If he's making those strides I'm not going to say 'whoah, Allan, you're not going to be playing'.

"If he can make himself available then great.

"Paul is due to be training on Saturday after nine weeks out with his ankle as well and I'm not going to rule anyone out yet."

The progress made by McGregor and McShane means that winger Robbie Brady, currently recuperating from groin surgery, is the only member of Bruce's first-team squad with no chance of appearing in the club's first ever cup final.

Source: PA