Hull City boss Steve Bruce admits Nikica Jelavic is struggling with his knee problems.

Bruce is fully aware of Jelavic's importance to the Tigers attack, especially after forming a useful partnership with new-boy Dame N'Doye, and is continuing to keep a close eye on his fitness.

He said: "Unfortunately, for him and for us, there's times when all of a sudden he'll wake up and his knee is twice the size.

"Then we have to get the swelling down and give him time off it to recover.

"He needs to stay off it and let nature take its course and therein lies the problem.

"It's going to be one of those situations between now and the end of the season where he can't have a complete rest and the six or eight weeks it probably needs.

"Eventually, it'll be fine. Unfortunately, it just keeps flaring up now and again."