Bullard's comeback on hold by cautious Tigers

The 31-year-old midfielder has not featured for the Tigers since the 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa on December 5 when he left the field in tears.

Initial fears he had suffered a recurrence of the knee problem that had kept him out for 10 months were soon dispelled and manager Phil Brown had been hoping to have Hull's talisman back in the side to face Mick McCarthy's men.

However, Hull's determination not to rush the player back and cause further problems in the future means Bullard, who trained on his own at Cottingham yesterday, will sit out the Wolves game.

Brighter news for Brown, however, is that new signing Amr Zaki remains on course to make his debut, albeit from the bench.

The Egyptian joined the club over a week ago but had to miss the 4-0 defeat at champions Manchester United due to a lack of match fitness.

Zaki's availability is a major boost for Hull ahead of a testing week that sees Wolves, Chelsea and Manchester City travel to the KC Stadium.

Hull have not won in eight games during which they have netted just four goals and Brown is hoping Zaki, who scored 10 Premier League goals last season for Wigan, will provide his side with a cutting edge up front.

Jozy Altidore has spoken of his family's agonising wait for news of friends and relatives caught up in the Haiti earthquake.

The 20-year-old United States striker, who is currently on loan at Hull, is of Haitian heritage.

Both of Altidore's parents, who now reside in the US, are from the devastated country and they lost all contact with their family in the aftermath of the 7.0 magnitude quake.

Altidore was given compassionate leave after the disaster occurred on January 12 and had to wait for around a week before hearing all his family were safe.

Now he is back in training after missing Hull's last two matches.

"I am excited to be back," he said. "The week of training has been good and I'm fully focused.

"I want to make the most of the next five months I am here.

Doncaster Rovers defender Charles Fisher has joined UniBond Premier League side Frickley Athletic on a month's loan.

Sheffield United midfielder James Harper has made his loan move from Reading permanent.

The 29-year-old joined the Blades on transfer deadline day last September but has now agreed a full-time contract.