Hull City-Everton Preview

Mar 5, 2010 - 6:08 PM GEOFF McALLISTER STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Jimmy Bullard is ready to make a surprise return to Hull's relegation-threatened squad when they travel to Everton on Sunday.

Bullard, 31, has hardly played since his five million pounds transfer from Fulham 14 months ago and the last of his four starts in Hull colours came on December 5 against Aston Villa.

After extensive treatment and a trip to Portugal to visit a specialist has enabled the long-haired Hull talisman to recover sooner than expected.

Hull manager Phil Brown was coy about saying Bullard would definitely start against Everton at Goodison Park but was clearly delighted by the prospect.

Brown said: "Jimmy had a bad knee injury, not the first in his career, so we have to be pleased that he is getting nearer coming back.

"When he has played he has given us all a lift. He scored against Manchester City and West Ham this season and we got a point each time.

"Jimmy is a great competitor with a lot of skill and experience and his return can only benefit us.

"We are in the bottom three again with eleven matches to go and we need all the help we can get. So having Jimmy back in full training again is a great boost."

But typical of Hull's luck, no sooner had Bullard edged closer to a Premier League return than experienced defender Anthony Gardner was ruled out for six weeks. Gardner has at least not broken a leg as was first feared when he was injured against West Ham two matches ago but ankle ligament damage has been diagnosed. Kamil Zayatte stands by to replace him.

Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill is not looking forward to the nerve-tingling run-in as his club attempt to defy the odds and survive for the second successive year.

Myhill said: "I find it difficult to enjoy matches while we are down in the bottom three. Everyone is fighting for their lives around us but there is a feeling in the camp that we can do it again."

Everton fans, so impressed by on-loan American Landon Donovan, have launched a Facebook campaign to keep him.

Donovan has made a big impression on Merseyside since his arrival from Los Angeles Galaxy but he returns to California next month, as arranged.

Everton manager David Moyes said: "Landon has done a great job and we shall miss him. Maybe we can get him back on loan next season because he has been a great success.

"Hull are going to be hard to beat while they are fighting for their lives near the foot of the table. We have to be prepared for a physical scrap.

"There is so much pressure on teams down there that every match is huge for the teams down there like Hull."

Moyes was impressed by left back Leighton Baines who made a solid start to his international career in the England friendly against Egypt in midweek.

"Leighton never lets anyone down and will always do a top job for you. He has been in great form for us all season and I hope he gets the chance to go to the World Cup."