STEVE Bruce has warned expectant Hull City supporters it may take time before they see the best of new signings Gedo and Ahmed Fathi.
The Tigers' deadline-day arrivals, signed on loan from Egyptian side Al Ahly, are due to land in England this week to join up with their new team-mates ahead of City's televised trip to Brighton on Saturday.
Both Gedo (pictured) and Fathi will have their fitness assessed before a decision is made over their involvement at the Amex Stadium but both are expected to arrive short of match sharpness.
The suspension of the Egyptian Premier League in the wake of the Port Said tragedy last January has limited both players' action over the last 12 months, though a chance to hone their match fitness could come with a run-out in Egypt's friendly against Chile in Madrid tomorrow evening.
Bruce has no doubts Gedo and Fathi arrive in English football with undoubted potential but knows City may need to be patient before it is realised.
"I hope they walk straight through the door and hit the ground running but it may take time," Bruce told the Mail.
"The big thing is that their league has not been playing. How physically ready they are will be the big question but certainly for ability they'll have no problems.
"If they'd have been playing every week back in Egypt then I don't think there would be any kind of problem.
"They play in a hostile environment and handle huge pressures every time they play. There'll always be a question mark over how a foreign player will adapt, but they're used to how physical it can be."
Although domestic football in Egypt was put on ice until last weekend, Gedo and Fathi were both involved in Al Ahly's African Champions League victory in November as well as a tilt at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan before Christmas. International football with Egypt also provided welcome opportunities during 2012.
Signed last Thursday on loan until the end of the season, Gedo and Fathi will arrive looking to follow the lead of team-mate Ahmed Elmohamady in making their mark at the KC.
Gedo, comfortable as a striker or playing in behind, will hope to spice up City's attack, while the versatile Fathi may be earmarked for a holding midfield role.
Joining a side hindered by a lack of potency this term, Gedo will court most attention from the terraces and Bruce added: "He's got a prolific record but he needs to take his chance of playing in England.
"He wants to prove himself here and he could be the crown jewel we're looking for. It's a gamble, but he's certainly got potential.
"I've always been intrigued by the Egyptian market. People would go all over Africa to get players, but Egypt are always one of the strongest traditionally in Africa.
"If they're in good physical shape, they'll be terrific acquisitions.
"Al Ahly is the Manchester United of Africa. To get two of their players is remarkable."
(Picture via Flickr: ahmed_elmoon2020)