CORRY Evans faces a battle to prove his fitness for Hull City's curtain raiser at Chelsea as he struggles to shake off a groin injury that has blighted his pre-season campaign.
With less than three weeks remaining before the Tigers' glamour trip to Stamford Bridge, Evans' only action this month came with 90 minutes and a goal in the 6-0 win over Winterton Rangers.
A groin strain suffered during City's training camp in Portugal has since ruled the midfielder out of the four friendly games that have followed and slow progress could now see him remain at home when Steve Bruce's side jet out to Germany on Friday.
That would leave Andy Dawson's testimonial fixture against Real Betis on August 10 as Evans' only remaining opportunity and cast a significant question mark over his involvement against Chelsea.
"I think Corry will be another week with his groin strain," said City's assistant manager Steve Agnew.
"It's never great and players will tell you they'd like to train every single day.
"You always feel like if you've missed a session you're down on your fitness.
"I'm sure Corry will be disappointed he has missed quite a bit of pre-season but hopefully it's not too bad.
"He might not quite make Germany but he should be okay for the week after that.
"If he can run and he can work with us, he may come along but that's a decision the physio team will make."
Another player unlikely to feature in the upcoming games against Dynamo Dresden and Eintracht Braunschweig is defender Abdoulaye Faye.
Although he managed 45 minutes in the 0-0 draw with Braga in Portugal, a calf strain has left him playing catch-up in the race to make City's opening day defence.
Paul McShane (groin) and Liam Rosenior (ankle) also missed Monday's 1-0 win at Peterborough United but will be fine to travel to Germany.
Agnew added: "Rosey hopefully will be fit for the back end of the week.
"He tweaked his ankle ligaments in training but he should be fit to travel over to Germany with us.
"Paul felt his groin too. He could have played at Peterborough if needed but we thought it was a risk we didn't want to take."
City will expect to see the first of new £1.6m signing Yannick Sagbo in Dresden this weekend, provided international clearance is granted, but other fresh faces are unlikely in the short-term.
Bruce's pursuit of a new midfielder has shown few signs of a breakthrough in recent days and Agnew added: "I'm not so sure it will be before Germany but I do think we need to add to the squad before the start of the new season.
"If it's not this week then hopefully it will be before the first game at Chelsea.
"There's been no real progress in the last few days but the manager has his targets in mind and he'll continue to pursue them."
• Have you seen our new homepage? Bookmark hulldailymail.co.uk for the very best and exclusive local content.
• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
