Hull City midfielder Jimmy Bullard will be back playing sooner than feared, it has been revealed.

The former Fulham player injured his left knee during last Saturday's game against Aston Villa, having recently returned after a long-term injury to his right knee that required surgery.

It had been feared that the damage was serious enough to put him out of action for most of the rest of the season, but following a scan the prognosis is that he will miss six to eight weeks.

Hull City boss Phil Brown commented that waiting for the diagnosis had been like being an expectant father in the waiting room.

He added: "It's been an horrendous day for me but I'm now very hopeful Jimmy will be back on the field of play before the transfer window closes."

The club's record signing at £5 million, Bullard has previously played for non-league Gravesend and Northfleet, West Ham United, Peterborough United and Wigan Athletic before joining Fulham in 2006.