Hull boss Iain Dowie remains hopeful captain George
Boateng's injury is not as serious as first feared after the
midfielder was knocked unconscious in the 2-0 defeat at
Stoke.
Boateng was caught in the head by Tuncay Sanli's overhead kick
and after lengthy treatment was taken from the field on a stretcher
to a waiting ambulance.
With Dowie having already made all of his substitutions the
Tigers had to play the last 15 minutes - plus the resulting eight
minutes' injury time - with 10 men.
But the real concern was for Boateng, although Dowie said it was
too early to assess whether or not he had fractured his jaw.
"There was a lot of blood in his airway and we had to suction
that out as he was struggling to breathe," he said.
"By the time he left he was a lot more comfortable. He will have
to stay in hospital and I'll see him overnight.
"It is a bitter blow, particularly the time it happened when we
were in the ascendancy.
"It was a fantastic challenge and that is the type of character
he is - but there was no malice from Tuncay as I think he was
shocked too.
"It is a hell of a whack. It is a nasty injury but hopefully he
is fine and there is nothing wrong with his jaw because that would
be a real blow.
"We've had some curveballs thrown at us already but we've got to
get on with it."
Stoke boss Tony Pulis also absolved Tuncay of any blame.
"It was unfortunate. I don't think 'Tunny' knew the lad was
behind him so you can't apportion any blame," he said.
"It was disappointing and you never want to see that."
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