Hull City Football Club

• Nickname:The Tigers
• Founded:1904
• Manager:Steve Bruce

• Ground:Kingston Communications Stadium
• Capacity:25404

Ashbee positive of a return

19 Sep 2009 - 11:23:24

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Hull City skipper Ian Ashbee remains confident that he will recover fully from his latest serious injury setback.

The 33-year-old midfielder was almost forced out of the game four years ago due to a degenerative bone condition and summer knee surgery revealed a return of the earlier problem.

However, Ashbee is adamant that he can battle back again, although he is likely to miss the whole of the current campaign.

"It was the same operation I had three years ago, but just on a greater scale," Ashbee confirmed. "The bone had degenerated again, but there were pieces hanging off this time.

"The injury I did at Aston Villa had completely healed, but there was a little bit of scar tissue and we went in to check that out.

"Obviously we found the other thing, which was a bit disappointing because I never had any symptoms.

"For it to be there on that scale was a bit of a shock. It wasn't even in my head that it was going to be there. I'd played for three years and not had a symptom.

"I think retirement was only broached by other people - I'll be back.

"If I can get myself back before the end of the season, there are still two or three seasons left for me.

"There is no question of me sitting down and retiring - it has never crossed my mind."