HULL CITY: Brown hopeful over Ashbee
IAN Ashbee has been challenged to make his Hull City return before the end of the season after receiving the green light to step up his comeback.
The Tigers' long-standing captain flew to see US-based specialist Dr Richard Steadman this week to determine whether knee surgery carried out in August had been a success.
-
Ian Ashbee may make a return in this campaign
And with results showing that no further surgery is necessary, Ashbee is now free to accelerate his rehabilitation.
A return to action before May 9 remains a long shot for a player who has not featured in over nine months, but manager Phil Brown is not giving up hope.
"You know what I'm like, I'm an optimist." said Brown.
"I had hoped to see Jimmy Bullard playing in January and it's going to be later. But I think Ash will play again before the end of the season and that has to be the challenge to everyone.
"To him, his family, the physio and our fitness staff, that's the challenge. I think it's realistic. We're talking about another three months before the end of the season so I hope to see him between now and then."
Ashbee is due back in England on Monday but will be buoyed by this week's results.
It is six months since the 33-year-old had 30 holes drilled into a degenerative area of bone at the base of his femur – a near identical operation that saved his career in 2005.
The procedure is intended to encourage growth back in the bone and all signs point to August's operation being a success.
Without a first-team game since last May, Ashbee stands only a slim chance of featuring again this season, but Brown is pleased to see no further complications.
"The good news is he doesn't need a further operation," added Brown.
"The operation he did have was borne out of a lack of growth in the bone of his femur.
"It looks like it's a positive outcome from the last operation so now it's rehabilitation and he'll play when he's ready."
Ashbee has not been alone in seeking medical advice overseas this week.
Geovanni has flown to Portugal to see a knee specialist in the hope of curing a niggling medial ligament problem and was not considered for today's clash with former club Manchester City.
Brown expects to see his Brazilian playmaker back in England early next week, though, and will not yet be ruled out of the trip to Blackburn on Wednesday.
"Geovanni has got a tweak on his medial ligament and he's gone back to Portugal for some treatment," explained Brown.
"He'll be back on Tuesday to see if he's fit with regards to the Blackburn game.
"Foreign players when they come to these shores take time getting into our ways and, although Geovanni hasn't been injured since he's been here, they often have a doctor or a physio that they've had before and still trust."
126 Comments
View all
by Rocker, Cottingham
Monday, February 08 2010, 1:27AM
“great game - great performance - very worthy winners Hull City. enough said.
same again at blackburn please. 14th place and rising.
UTT
now back to the super bowl.”
by John, Aberdeen
Sunday, February 07 2010, 8:26PM
“As many people have said the Boat's performance over the last 3 games has been outstanding, especially the Man City game. I feel that the inclusion of Cairney is probably the reason for this. GB has already said he has taken him under his wing, and also trusts him with the ball, which also releases him and have confidence to express himself, in addition he does not want to be out shone by a young up and coming player. Anyhow long may it continue whatever is the reason,”
by Phil, Hessle
Sunday, February 07 2010, 7:00PM
“Just another note.
The squad is a great blend of Youth and Experience.
Defence- Gardner and Mouyo
Midield- The Boat and Super Tom
Attack - JVoH and The Bulldozer.
They all compliment each other as well. JVoH and Alti are great together- both with strength- but with the aerial ability of JVoH and the pace and power of Jozy.
Cairney's silky skills with the abilities of The Boat. Quality midfield blend
Mouyo and Gardner at the back seem to have struck up a great understanding already. Both strong and quick with a good reading of the game. Gardner seems to have recovered from his poor game against Wolves- with 2 terrific captains performances against 2 of the best sides in the world. Mouyo will keep KZ out of the side for quite some time.
I have thought Dawson has not been up to it- but the last 2 games- against some of the very best attacking players in the world he has not looked out of place- even Macca had a decent game- keeping Bellamy to very limited opportunities.
Hunt was everywhere- his ball juggling was great and just capped off a fantastic hard working display (need to work on set pieces tho!)
Fagan is not upto it though. He works hard- you can't fault him for that- but he has very little skill- ok he won the corner for GB's goal- fair enough- but he falls over very easily and gives away a lot of silly fouls- the lash out at Bellamy- who was rubbish yesterday- was appalling. He frustrates me because h has the pace to skin players- but often tries to draw a foul or loses the possession very cheaply. I like Fagan- I have met him a ew times and he is a nice enough guy to have a chat with- took him clubbing to L**ds last season and he was very generous. But he is not good enough as a ootballer. Once Ghilas is back I reckon Fagan will be dropped in his place.
Zaki looks a good prospect- but does look like he seriously lacks match fitness. All those calling for him from the start need to watch him closely- he looks cream crackered ater the time he has been playing atthe mo- would like to see him along side JA- 2 little bulldozers constantly at the defenders.
As for the next few games. BR and WHU are winnable- even Villa at the KC are beatable- not playing well!
After that we have 2 difficult games in Everton(A) and Arsenal(H). Then the fun begins- with 3 games were we could pick up the points.Then the final 3 games of the season- all results possible!!!
For me I do feel that 36 points would keep us up- so the sooner we are there the better!!”
by Phil, Hessle
Sunday, February 07 2010, 6:32PM
“The game yesterday really made my week- after a week of cr@p. Was really chuffed with Jozy- he was outstanding. Boat must be on something !!
JVoH was great again.
Cairney outstanding- made Barry look like a pubplayer.
As for Maetr- opinions are always welcome. I think a few people are a bit uptight as the HDM has mad an @ss of the system- they should take a lead from all the other newspapers- who you have to have an account to comment.
As for Blackburn- I have 5 places on my minibus £15 travel- txt on 07763185606!! Leaving 4.30 from Hessle area.
UTT”
by Maestro, Egypt
Sunday, February 07 2010, 6:01PM
“We alaykum el salaam Martin, for all those who were complaining about a lack of an article on HDM, here you go, thank you Mel U @17:41”
by Maestro, Egypt
Sunday, February 07 2010, 5:50PM
“Baz I thank you also for your welcome, and thank everyone for that matter who has, or want to or will welcome me in the future. I should have introduced myself to start with, thats also a part of the ethic code. Its normal for people to be suspicious, and yes it is amazing the freedom one shares with others once the barriers of nationality, color and race are not obstructive to one's serious judgments. You can support Hull (metaphorically), but salute the opponent when they are better men. Sometimes its difficult, but once u can, u will be free.”
by Martin Sumpton, Wandsworth
Sunday, February 07 2010, 5:42PM
“What's goin on ? This is brilliant ! City thump the Mancs , Hull FC thump the Saints, and Rovers wipe the floor with Salford. & Happy posters everywhere! Salaam a lekum to Maestro, MISR ! I feel very chuffed indeed - roll on Blackburn! C'mon City !”
by Mel U, Southampton
Sunday, February 07 2010, 5:41PM
“*Hull City did not deserve the win*
With only five points from 3 matches some will point out we have a long way to go before reaching safety.
Mark Lawerenson felt so embarrassed by our performances that he kept his own council on match of the day, whist others have highlighted both Chelsea and Man City's failings, rather than Hull City's merits.
Hard work over ability does not make for a good press from the "Big Club" supporting media.
Highlights will show how the Man City mid field failed, but will not show the training ground "keepy uppy" by Steven Hunt and he went forward. It will dwell on his clouting Veirra , just because like Mounty Everest he was there.
The scramble for Phil Browns neck must by now sence that they are as doomed as the once said the club was to failure. As instead of crowing he sent out Brian Horton to face the non accolades of the hungry press.
The same press who failed to notice that Bellamy thought it was all a joke, being beaten by such a lowly team as Hull City, as he laughed off missed Man city chances, until the pain of real defeat hit him as hard as Jozy's cramp.
The input of Zaki was as supple as a Batman cartoon, "wham, Bash, Biff, Bosh", take that you penguins. Yes Man City all bird, no flying, plenty of diving.
Did we really start with the same team or has Steadman transplanted Jimmy Bullards skills into Tom Cairney boots.
Hull City did not deserve to win,*They darn well earnt it".”
by Ric, Glasgow
Sunday, February 07 2010, 5:39PM
“Mel,I noticed the lack of the 'plumped up scarf' on Mancini ,have you got it?? LOL..............Fenjohnwick,if that's your first post then so be it,obviously I'll be taking note of your posts in future.Me paranoid and courting attention,NO THANKS mate,I've got a life outside of these threads!!!,but funny you should mention the paranoia..........................I went to the Doctors on Friday morning.He said I was paranoid!.Well,he didn't actually say that......but that's what he was thinking.....”
by Baz, Hull
Sunday, February 07 2010, 5:35PM
“Maestro Gaz, welcome aboard! It's great to see peeps from all over the world supporting the Tigers! I love it how sport can break down all the barriers over race, creed, colour, religion, etc. from 1,000s of miles across the waters. Shame that our local newspaper cannot find time and effort to post a match report. Very surprised that Leeds and Sunderland match reports aren't on here. disgraceful!”