Bruce hopes Koren is available to help lift Hull

The Slovenian, top scorer at the KC Stadium this season with nine goals, has missed the last two games with a calf injury that forced him out of the April 16 defeat at Wolves before the half-hour mark.

With Hull needing a steadying hand after suffering a late season dip in form, Koren’s return would be a welcome one and manager Bruce is hoping for good news.

He said: “I would hope (by today or Wednesday) that he is training, but we will have to see. It is touch and go.

“This squad has dealt with injuries this season, but, certainly, on the big occasions you want your big and experienced players.

“That little bit of know-how can go a long way and that would certainly be welcome if Robbie is fit.”

Jack Hobbs also sat out Hull’s last game, the 2-0 defeat at Barnsley that pooped the promotion party planned by the 5,909 fans who had followed their team to Oakwell in expectant mood.

The central defender suffered a knock to his knee in training during the build-up to last Saturday’s game and had to watch proceedings from the bench.

Hull’s task going into Saturday’s lunchtime meeting with Cardiff City is identical to what it was before the Barnsley game: one win and promotion back to the Premier League will be assured.

The pressure, however, has been cranked up by Watford, who trail Hull by a point, but have a hugely superior goal difference.

That means Hull have to match or better how Gianfranco Zola’s side fare at home to Leeds United on the final day.

Unsurprisingly considering what is at stake, the final-day fixtures involving the Tigers and Watford have both been selected for live transmission by Sky Television.

On his plans for the coming week, manager Bruce said: “It is not my style to go ‘softly softly’ with the players this week. I will be amongst them.

“The players were hugely disappointed at the weekend and so they should be – they should be as disappointed as I am.”

Hull fans will be keeping a close eye on whether Leeds’s appeal over the red card shown to midfielder Rodolph Austin for an alleged bodycheck on Ashley Barnes off the ball in Saturday’s home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion is successful.

If United’s appeal fails, both Austin and El-Hadji Diouf will miss the trip to Vicarage Road. Leeds have not won away from home in the league since December 1, a 
12-game run that has yielded just four draws.