Michael Dawson out for three months ahead of Hull's Premier League return

The centre-back injured his medial collateral ligament in a pre-season friendly against Mansfield Town on Tuesday, ruling him out of the start of the Premier League season.

Dawson's injury is the latest setback to the Tigers’ top-flight preparations, with fellow defender Alex Bruce out for six months with a foot problem and Moses Odubajo suffering what appeared to be a serious injury in training.

Midfielders Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore are also facing a race against time to be fit for the start of the season with Achilles and ankle problems respectively.

Hull’s build-up to the new season has also been disrupted by speculation linking their manager Steve Bruce with the vacant England manager’s job, with the club issuing an official statement on Tuesday urging the FA to: “conclude their business quickly in order to avoid further speculation regarding Steve ahead of what is a season of huge importance for the club.”

The Tigers open the Premier League season with their Saturday lunchtime kick-off against defending champions Leicester City on Aug 13.