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The Scottish stopper has been ruled out for the rest of the season after breaking a rib and suffering internal bleeding in a collision with Mohamed Diame at Upton Park on Wednesday night.

McGregor is in a high-dependency unit in a London hospital and is likely to remain there for another week.

Hull boss Steve Bruce admits the injury was "scary" but insists it is not career threatening.

"It's a contusion and he's broken the ninth rib. There's no operation, you can't repair it," Bruce said.

"If the kidney is that badly damaged, they have no alternative but to take it out. We hope it won't come to that.

"It's always the fear but, at this particular moment, we think he'll be OK."

McGregor has been in fine form since joining Hull from Besiktas for £1.5m in the summer.

And Bruce has backed the former Rangers man to make a full recovery.

"It's cruel because he's done so well," the Tigers boss added.

"He's been our permanent goalkeeper, which is something we haven't had for three years or more.

"He's been great in his first year in the Premier League, terrific. He's been pivotal to us, with the clean sheets. He's a proper goalkeeper.

"The doctors have said if the kidney repairs, he's out for six weeks. Allan said to me: 'The FA Cup final's in seven weeks'. That's Typical Allan.

"He's as tough as they come and he's very brave. He's as hard as nails."

Steve Harper will step in for McGregor for the rest of the season, starting at Stoke tomorrow and Bruce has no qualms about turning to the 39-year-old.

Bruce said: "He's at the wrong end of his career, but he's got huge experience and whenever we've called on him, he's never let us down.

"I would expect him to step up the plate and enjoy the next six weeks. Hopefully, we can keep him on the pitch."