Brown ponders Zaki start for Chelsea test

The Egyptian - on loan from Zamalek - came off the bench in the 2-2 draw with Wolves at the weekend.

Brown went with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Jozy Altidore up-front in a 4-4-2 against Mick McCarthy's side, and the duo combined to create the Tigers' first goal.

That means former Wigan man Zaki could start on the bench again, alongside Craig Fagan, who is back in contention.

Jimmy Bullard (knee) remains sidelined and Seyi Olofinjana has yet to return from the African Nations Cup in Angola, although Kamil Zayatte (ankle) and Geovanni (knee) could return.

League-leaders Chelsea should welcome back Ivory Coast strikers Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou into the squad for the trip to Hull.

The pair were back in England prior to the draw with Burnley, but were not included by Carlo Ancelotti.

Midfielder Michael Essien is out with a knee injury and Juliano Belletti (calf) is also out.

Hull squad: Myhill, Gardner, McShane, Dawson, Mouyokolo, Boateng, Mendy, Hunt, Cairney, Altidore, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Garcia, Zaki, Geovanni, Zayatte, Fagan, Barmby, Duke, Kilbane

Chelsea squad: Cech, Terry, Alex, A Cole, Deco, Ivanovic, Malouda, Zhirkov, Lampard, J Cole, Sturridge, Ballack, Anelka, Carvalho, Ferreira, Turnbull, Matic, Borini, Drogba, Kalou