BEN Amos will see his Hull City future reviewed next month after tumbling down the pecking order at the KC Stadium.
Despite starting City's first 19 league and cup games this term, the 22-year-old's season-long loan from Manchester United is in danger of turning sour after a abrupt fall from grace.
As well as being ousted by new arrival David Stockdale, signed on loan from Fulham three weeks ago, Amos' one-time understudy Eldin Jakupovic is now being preferred as the Tigers' back-up goalkeeper.
City boss Steve Bruce admits to feeling sympathy towards Amos and said: "I've let him have a break for two or three weeks to let him take stock of the whole situation.
"I'm also mindful that Jakupovic is our goalkeeper. Ben can feel hard done to but it's difficult with keepers. It's a specialised position and it's hard to win your place back.
"I feel for him but, like any young player, he needed a rest at that time."
Amos' future will inevitably be linked to that of Stockdale. Bruce is desperate to either make the 27-year-old's loan from Fulham permanent or, at worse, extend it until the end of the campaign.
With Bruce seeing improvements in Jakupovic and expectant of seeing Mark Oxley back from a finger injury next month, it could pave the way for Amos to head back to Old Trafford with a view to finding another loan elsewhere.
Asked if Amos could return to Manchester United, Bruce said: "We've not discussed that as yet. We'll review the whole situation in January and go from there. With Oxley out injured it's imperative that we have cover there."
Stockdale will retain the troublesome number one jersey for the visit of Huddersfield tomorrow lunchtime as the Tigers look to register a third consecutive win in the Championship.
At least one change is expected from the side that beat Watford 2-1 last weekend, with Paul McShane likely to be replaced by Jack Hobbs.
McShane hobbled off at Vicarage Road and his leg injury will be monitored ahead of the festive schedule.
"It's one of those injuries that's quite rare," Bruce said. "The good news is there's no break on the fibula but there's some soft tissue damage.
"It's just to be a case of playing it by ear and seeing when he's pain-free again.
"How long that will be, I don't know. But I would expect him to be back sooner rather than later.
"He's been working in the gym. We can't really put a time on it but I wouldn't think he would be available for the Huddersfield game."
City will also be without top goalscorer Sone Aluko following an injection on his Achilles injury, but pleasing progress could see him back in time to face promotion rivals Leicester on Boxing Day.
"He's far, far better," added the City boss. "We'll look again next week and see how he is but there's certainly a marked improvement over the last 10 days.
"Hopefully, we might see him back in training some time next week.
"There's a possibility of him being involved over Christmas.
"Derby (on December 21) might be a bit too early for him, but I'd be very hopeful for the Boxing Day game."
