Bruce has built squad strength so Hull can cope when injuries strike, says sidelined Dawson

The Tigers could be without Steve Harper, Nikica Jelavic and Dawson for the weekend trip to Liverpool.

Harper suffered a suspected torn bicep in the 2-2 draw at Arsenal and left the Emirates with his arm in a sling, while Jelavic limped away on crutches after missing the game having injured his knee in the warm-up.

Dawson, meanwhile, suffered a damaged ankle.

If all three are missing at Anfield, Steve Bruce will be left with a major selection headache.

Dawson, however, is adamant that Hull have enough cover to go to Merseyside and stretch their unbeaten run in October to three games.

He said: “The only disappointment (from Saturday) was the injuries we picked up. But that is where the squad comes in. We overcame those against Arsenal and almost won the game (before Danny Welbeck netted a stoppage time equaliser).

“You need a good squad because injuries come along and the manager has built that now.

“We pick ourselves up and see how we are but there is strength in depth to cope.”

Bruce is scouring the loan market for a goalkeeper with Harper having joined Allan McGregor on the sidelines.

With the latter having only just returned to light running duties after a shoulder problem, Eldin Jakupovic will start at Liverpool with the only other goalkeeper at the club being teenager Rory Watson.

Hull manager Bruce had intimated after the draw at Arsenal that Mark Oxley could be recalled from his loan spell at Hibernian, but that will not now be possible until the January transfer window.

On his own injury, which was sustained in an accidental collision with team-mate Curtis Davies, Dawson said: “I tried to play on. I got back on the pitch, but the swelling was already coming up. I had already twisted the ankle.

“When you get fluid building up in there you have got to see the extent of the injury. We will have to see what the scan says.”

Dawson’s injury meant he was off the field when Welbeck netted his equaliser for the Gunners.

He added: “I was in the dressing room with my foot in the ice bucket when the equaliser went in. I saw it on television and was obviously gutted for everyone.

“The lads had been fantastic all the way through and worked their socks off. When you go to a place like the Emirates, you have to defend well and we knew that.

“I felt we showed great character as a team. It was just disappointing when 2-1 up so late on that we couldn’t hold on.

“The way we came back from 1-0 was a big thing and it was unfortunate we couldn’t get those three points.

“But if you had offered us a point before going to London then we would have taken it, definitely.

“As a team, we are looking in decent shape.

“Arsenal have so much quality and are so good in possession and yet we restricted them to only a few chances. That is impressive.”