Hull lose skipper Ashbee for climax to relegation dogfight

Ian Ashbee is likely to miss nail-biting end to the season after rupturing his posterior cruciate ligament. The news is a major blow to Hull's Barclays Premier League survival hopes as Ashbee is their only specialist destructive, holding midfielder a pivotal role in the side. He is regarded by manager Phil Brown as the manager's 'eyes and ears' on the pitch, like an on-pitch coach. Ashbee sustained the injury on Monday, during the 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa, as he went for a challenge on James Milner. His recovery process has been slowed down because doctors are not able to perform surgery on the injury at present due to the risk of Ashbee's gash becoming infected. Ashbee, 32, has been desperately unlucky with injuries throughout his career. The midfielder - who is Hull's longest-serving player - feared he might never walk again when he discovered that he had a rare bone disease so it is a minor miracle that he is even a player still.

Source: Daily_Mail