Egyptian troubles leave Tigers’ Gedo stranded and add to Bruce’s frustration

The 28-year-old, who hit five important goals in 12 matches on loan at the KC Stadium last season to boost the Tigers’ promotion drive, re-joined the club on a season-long loan on September 2, with his signing softening the blow of missing out on West Brom’s Shane Long in a proposed £5.5m club record move.

But the British Embassy in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, close to where there have been significant outbreaks of civil unrest, is operating at reduced working hours and processing Gedo’s visa is proving a significant problem.

The Al-Ahly forward is believed to be in Dubai in an effort to resolve the issue and gain the necessary papers to head to the UK.

It is another setback Bruce, left bitterly disappointed after West Brom pulled the plug on Long’s move to East Yorkshire at the 11th hour, could have done without.

Bruce, already short on numbers in attack with summer signing Yannick Sagbo suspended for tomorrow’s home game with Cardiff City following his dismissal against Norwich City, said: “He’s away trying to get his visa at the moment. He’s still going to be a few weeks away (from being available for selection and match-fit) but he’s making good progress.

“I’m not entirely sure where we are with the visa. The British Embassy is apparently where a lot of the trouble is and is only open for two days a week.

“They’re sending the passports off to Dubai. He’s trying desperately to get sorted, bless him, but he’s still not in the country. You’re not allowed in without it.

“Last I heard, he was trying to get to Dubai to speed things up, but it’s not been easy.”

Bruce has revealed that the club will be speaking with Sone Aluko’s advisers early next week with Hull keen to secure the future of the 24-year-old, who has made an impressive start to the top-flight campaign, but who will be out of contract next June.

Bruce made a promise in the summer that Aluko, who he felt was the best player in the Championship in 2012-13 prior to his season-ending Achilles injury at its mid-point, would be offered a fresh long-term deal and agreement could move a step closer shortly.

Bruce, who has also gone on record as believing Aluko could prove one of their real stars in the top flight, said: “We’re talking to him and his advisers and hopefully seeing them on Monday.

“Hopefully we can get something sorted.

“We’re not too advanced, but we’re talking. We’re underway, but as normal with these things they take a bit of time.

“It’s important for a player these days to get the right deal. They don’t just come along and sign what’s put in front of them.

“He’ll want certain reassurances. It’s not always just about money.

“He’s an intelligent boy, he’s not your normal footballer. He’s a bright lad.

“I had a conversation with him a couple of days ago and the big thing for him is if he can stay fit.

“Can he stay fit after being out for so long? If he does, I think he’ll light up the Premier League.

“People will enjoy watching him play, he’s one of those players. I hope he can stay injury free.”

While Hull are keen for Aluko to commit his long-term future, one player who could be heading out shortly is Matty Fryatt, with Barnsley making a loan enquiry to sign him yesterday, due to injury concerns regarding recent signing Marcus Pedersen.

But Bruce says it is unlikely the former Leicester City man, who turned down a deadline-day loan switch to Nottingham Forest, will head to Oakwell – while admitting that he requires game time to boost his match-fitness after a serious Achilles injury which sidelined him for virtually the whole of last term.

On the future of Fryatt, with Forest remaining interested, Bruce added: “Barnsley have enquired (yesterday) but I can’t see that one happening.

“With Forest, I’m not sure what the situation was. They wanted to take him on loan, but I don’t think Matty was keen to go there on loan.

“For one reason or another, it didn’t happen, so we’ll wait and see what happens over the next 10 days or so.

“I’ve had the conversation with Matt and the thing I said to him is that he’s been out for a year.

“We’ve got six games in 11 weeks, so if there’s a chance for him to get out playing, then I’m not going to stand in his way” said Bruce.

Tigers goalkeeper Allan McGregor is rated ‘50-50’ for the match with Cardiff with a groin injury, with Steve Harper standing by to replace him if he misses out.