Injured Tigers star Dawson is ruled out for month

Hull City's Michael Dawson (Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire).

The 32-year-old, an ever present in the league for the Tigers, has led by example for the Championship leaders but was forced out of last weekend’s draw at Bristol City through injury.

Dawson suffered the hamstring problem in a tackle that led to a booking, his fifth of the season which means he would not have been able to play in Friday’s crunch clash with Derby County.

However, the defender could now be out until Christmas after scans confirmed a grade two tear.

It is a blow for City, whose rise to the top of the league has been built on a solid defence.

Harry Maguire is likely to be joined by Curtis Davies at the heart of the defence against the Rams on Friday night as Steve Bruce’s men look to steal a march on the chasing pack.

Andrew Robertson is also out of the KC Stadium game after picking up his own fifth booking of the campaign at Ashton Gate.

Meanwhile, two Yorkshire clubs yesterday received positive news from the Football Association disciplinary chiefs over appeals against red cards.

Leeds United defender Gaetano Berardi had his ban cut from three games to two following the red card handed to the Swiss international in the weekend defeat at home to Rotherham United.

Richard Griffiths, meanwhile, is free to play for FC Halifax Town this Saturday after his dismissal in the 4-1 win at Gateshead was rescinded by the governing body.

Berardi was sent off for violent conduct after retaliating to an elbow from Leon Best against the Millers that would have seen him banned for three games.

The United defender will now miss Saturday’s visit to Queens Park Rangers and the all-Yorkshire clash against Hull City at Elland Road on December 5. He will, though, be available to face Charlton Athletic the following weekend.

On Berardi, a statement from the FA read: “Leeds United Gaetano Berardi has had his three-match suspension reduced to two matches following a successful appeal by the club.

“Leeds contested that the standard penalty for the offence was excessive and this claim was upheld with immediate effect following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing.”

Berardi has failed to start just one game for United, filling in at both right and left back.