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The centre-back, who is 25 today, has been hit again by the hamstring injury that kept him out for 11 weeks earlier in the season.

Chester limped off during the 1-0 defeat at Norwich on Saturday and is likely to miss six Premier League games.

Three of those are crunch relegation six-pointers away at Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Cardiff, along with tough tests at home to Tottenham, Newcastle and Southampton.

Hull are 11th in the table, but still just five points above the relegation zone after losing four of their last five games.

But there is some good news for Tigers boss Steve Bruce.

Paul McShane is back from a hamstring strain and is likely to start alongside Abdoulaye Faye at the heart of the City defence in the FA Cup clash at Southend on Saturday.