Hull City are hopeful top goalscorer Nikica Jelavic can step up his comeback from knee surgery in the next fortnight ahead of a potential return in the season's final weeks.
Jelavic has been absent for a month following an operation to cure a long-standing knee ligament problem and has missed the Tigers' run of three consecutive defeats against Chelsea, Swansea and Southampton.
The 29-year-old will also miss the games with Crystal Palace a week on Saturday and Liverpool three days later, but City are cautiously optimistic he can yet play a part in the final matches of the campaign.
Although the club's official prognosis was a "minimum of six weeks" following surgery on March 19, manager Steve Bruce had speculated that Jelavic could miss the remainder of the season.
Those fears are unlikely to be realised, however, with Jelavic targeting a return in time to boost City's fight for Premier League survival.
The televised visit of Arsenal on May 4 or the home date with relegation rivals Burnley on May 9 are the most likely fixtures for Jelavic's return, and he should also be fit to face Tottenham and Manchester United in the final two games of the campaign.
Jelavic's return could prove hugely significant for Bruce.
City have not won any of the 10 Premier League games the Croatia international has missed this season and all their last five victories have come with Jelavic on the score-sheet.
Bruce's side have taken 23 points from the 22 games when Jelavic has featured, but taken just five from the 10 fixtures he has missed.
The striker's eight-goal tally this season is twice that of his nearest rivals in the top scorer charts, Mohamed Diame and Abel Hernandez, and when last fit he was beginning to forge a promising partnership with Dame N'Doye.
Should Jelavic's rehabilitation go to plan, Bruce could be able to call on a fully-fit squad for the final weeks of the season, barring the long-term absentee Robert Snodgrass.
Curtis Davies (thigh) and Gaston Ramirez (hamstring) have struggled in recent weeks but are expected to put their hands up to play a part in the run-in.
David Meyler, sent off in the 3-1 loss at Swansea City earlier this month, will also be back in time to face Arsenal on May 4, after completing his ban in the games with Crystal Palace and Liverpool.
http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull...-return-run/story-26339488-detail/story.html?
Jelavic has been absent for a month following an operation to cure a long-standing knee ligament problem and has missed the Tigers' run of three consecutive defeats against Chelsea, Swansea and Southampton.
The 29-year-old will also miss the games with Crystal Palace a week on Saturday and Liverpool three days later, but City are cautiously optimistic he can yet play a part in the final matches of the campaign.
Although the club's official prognosis was a "minimum of six weeks" following surgery on March 19, manager Steve Bruce had speculated that Jelavic could miss the remainder of the season.
Those fears are unlikely to be realised, however, with Jelavic targeting a return in time to boost City's fight for Premier League survival.
The televised visit of Arsenal on May 4 or the home date with relegation rivals Burnley on May 9 are the most likely fixtures for Jelavic's return, and he should also be fit to face Tottenham and Manchester United in the final two games of the campaign.
Jelavic's return could prove hugely significant for Bruce.
City have not won any of the 10 Premier League games the Croatia international has missed this season and all their last five victories have come with Jelavic on the score-sheet.
Bruce's side have taken 23 points from the 22 games when Jelavic has featured, but taken just five from the 10 fixtures he has missed.
The striker's eight-goal tally this season is twice that of his nearest rivals in the top scorer charts, Mohamed Diame and Abel Hernandez, and when last fit he was beginning to forge a promising partnership with Dame N'Doye.
Should Jelavic's rehabilitation go to plan, Bruce could be able to call on a fully-fit squad for the final weeks of the season, barring the long-term absentee Robert Snodgrass.
Curtis Davies (thigh) and Gaston Ramirez (hamstring) have struggled in recent weeks but are expected to put their hands up to play a part in the run-in.
David Meyler, sent off in the 3-1 loss at Swansea City earlier this month, will also be back in time to face Arsenal on May 4, after completing his ban in the games with Crystal Palace and Liverpool.
http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull...-return-run/story-26339488-detail/story.html?
