JACK Hobbs could hand Hull City an unexpected fitness boost by returning to face Ipswich Town this weekend – less than a week after it was feared his season was over.
The 24-year-old defender was initially diagnosed with ankle ligament damage after hobbling out of last week's 1-0 defeat to Watford, an injury the Tigers feared would see him sidelined for between two and four weeks.
However, having responded well to treatment in the past 48 hours Hobbs is suddenly hopeful of returning in time to face Ipswich at Portman Road on Saturday.
The news of Hobbs' recovery is perfectly timed after City's worst fears were confirmed yesterday over the injury to fellow defender Alex Bruce.
Bruce became the third City player this season lost to an Achilles injury and while a week of rest will decide if surgery is required, there is no prospect of him featuring in the final five games.
With Bruce joining Paul McShane on the long-term absentee list, the timely return of Hobbs will importantly allow manager Steve Bruce to stick with his tried and trusted three-man defence during the run-in.
"Jack might be okay for Saturday," Bruce told the Mail.
"It's not been nearly as bad as we first thought. To begin with we were thinking it would be at least a couple of weeks, but it's more of a twisted ankle than serious ligament damage.
"He's responded well to work with the physio and, fingers crossed, he'll be able to play a part at Ipswich."
If Hobbs' speedy return has given City cause for cheer, the news is offset by the loss of Alex Bruce for the remainder of the campaign.
The 28-year-old extended the Tigers' poor run of injury fortune on Saturday when he was forced out of the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough in first-half stoppage-time.
Scans on Monday revealed a ruptured plantaris – the exact same injury suffered by Sone Aluko in January – to leave the defender facing an extended spell out.
"It's very disappointing for Alex and very disappointing for the rest of us," said father Steve.
"We'll not know how bad it is until it settles down in the next week or so. We don't know yet if an operation is needed but he won't play again this season. It's a shame because it's the same injury suffered by Aluko.
"We've not had much luck with Achilles injuries.
"Alex is obviously gutted. It's not been easy coming into a club where his dad is the manager, but he's played 30 odd games for us and been an important player.
"We've asked him to play in defence and midfield and he's always done a good job.
"He's never going to be an outstanding creative midfielder but he will always roll his sleeves up and have a go. I think supporters have seen that this season."
CITY are still hoping striker Matty Fryatt will join Hobbs in contention for the run-in, but a planned first run-out in eight months after his own Achilles injury was cancelled by Birmingham yesterday.
City had hoped Fryatt would play around half an hour to put him in contention for this weekend.
