Tigers aim to benefit from their rare break

The Tigers had to play nine games last month after having several games postponed earlier in the year and the players paid the price in the final week or so.

Tired legs abounded for City during an 11-day spell that brought defeats to Southampton, Leicester City, Portsmouth and Coventry City.

The quartet of losses inflicted a likely fatal blow to any hopes City, who were sixth three weeks ago, had of reaching the play-offs.

Today brings a trip to Millwall, who have not won at The Den since the turn of the year and Dawson believes having no game in midweek can only help them.

Dawson, who will chalk up 10 years service with Hull next season after agreeing a new 12-month deal, said: “It has been a more normal week and we have had a routine. We have been in to train and to do what we need to do to prepare for the game.

“When you play nine games in March like we did, it is a rush and there is not anything else that can be done. It was one of those things and we just have to get on with it.

“You get periods in a season when things don’t go right for you and it seems that has happened to us in the last four games. You can’t afford to sit back and worry about it. You just have to get on with it.”

Liam Cooper and Sonny Bradley will start in the centre of defence after Jack Hobbs was ruled out for up to eight months with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury to join James Chester on the sidelines. Robert Koren (hamstring) is also out.

Last six games: Millwall WLLWLD, Hull City WDLLLL.

Referee: D Deadman (Cambridgeshire).

Last time: Millwall 4 Hull City 0; August 14, 2010; Championship.

SkyBet odds: Millwall to win 13-10; Hull to win 2-1; Draw 23-10.