Brown admits Bullard fear

Hull City manager Phil Brown confesses the club is in a 'fearful situation' in the wake of record signing Jimmy Bullard's knee injury. The Tigers paid Premier League rivals Fulham £5million for the midfielder in the winter transfer window, despite chairman Paul Duffen now revealing that the player was carrying a tear in his cartilage when he signed.Bullard - who suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury while playing for Fulham in 2006 which ruled him out for 18 months - has since played only 37 minutes for City and it has now been decided that the 30-year-old requires surgery.Doctor Richard Steadman has advised that an operation in America would aid Bullard and the former Wigan and West Ham man has flown to Denver to undergo treatment.ResponsibilityAnd Brown recognises that all associated with City will be holding their breath as they await news, telling the Hull Daily Mail: "Of course I understand supporters' fears."And if anyone is in a fearful situation it is Paul Duffen and his investors."As far as I'm concerned, I will take full responsibility for Jimmy being at this club."Duffen has confirmed that Bullard's knee was not 100 per cent when January negotiations were taking place with Fulham, but he does not see the move as a gamble.Pressure"Jimmy had a very slight tear in his cartilage when he signed. We were aware of this but did not see it as a problem," Duffen added in the Yorkshire Post."Phil Brown played for 13 years in his career with a slight tear in his cartilage and did not have a problem."Brown, though, is optimistic Bullard - who had forced his way into the plans of England coach Fabio Capello while at Fulham - will return to full fitness, but does not want to set a date for his comeback."The bottom line is, when Jimmy has this minor operation, and hopefully it is a minor operation, I will be a happy man that Jimmy Bullard is a Hull City player and not a Fulham player," he said."But I don't want to put a time constraint on that because it puts pressure on everyone."

Source: SKY_Sports