ROBBIE Brady is on course to give Hull City a timely lift ahead of facing Crystal Palace next weekend as he nears a long-awaited return to full fitness. Brady's breathless start to the campaign has fallen badly off track in the last six weeks after he underwent a double hernia operation at the end of September.
Although the 21-year-old was deemed fit enough to return for the 2-1 defeat at Everton, the injury soon flared up to rule him out of starting the next four games. Brady did not even travel to Southampton for City's 4-1 loss last weekend, but a period of rest and rehabilitation has been designed to bring him back into contention for the visit of Palace in seven days.
The Tigers' medical team will aim to step up Brady's involvement early next week and, providing all goes to plan, City should be able to unleash their top goalscorer on the Eagles.
Brady's three Premier League goals have helped inspire three of City's four wins, and assistant boss Steve Agnew admits the winger's return would be a welcome boost.
"We've missed Robbie, like any team would," Agnew told the Mail. "He'd scored four goals for us and along with Sone Aluko, that was our creative pair.
"You're going to miss that creativity when they're out. It's important we get them back fit as soon as we can. After a good start to the season, the double hernia set him back a few weeks. Let's hope he can have a good week and be in consideration for the weekend. It would be a big lift if Robbie can be fit for the Palace game. He's a fantastic talent."
Brady's injury woes forced him to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad and miss the chance to impress new boss Martin O'Neill and his assistant Roy Keane. However, the Dubliner was granted permission from the Tigers to travel to Ireland's training base along with team-mate Stephen Quinn as a new era and regime begins planning for Euro 2016.
"Robbie's been in Ireland as they were keen for him to meet up and be part of the group," added Agnew. "He's spent a few days with them and we were happy for him to go. Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane wanted him in and around the group so he continued his rehab over there."
Alongside Brady in the treatment room is one-time partner in crime Aluko, sidelined until February with an Achilles problem.
Aluko has begun his careful rehabilitation by visiting several experts and all agree surgery can be averted.
A protective boot will be worn for at least the next month and Agnew has been pleased to see the stricken forward retaining a positive outlook.
Agnew said: "He's in good spirits. He's been away from the training ground for five or six days because there wasn't a lot he could do, but he's back in and already looking forward to getting fit as quickly as he can."
