City boss Phil Brown hopes Anthony Gardner will be fit to play some part in the trip to Arsenal on Saturday.

Gardner missed Sunday's draw against Everton with a thigh problem but it is hoped he will recover in time for the game at the Emirates Stadium.

Having also missed the previous home game against Wigan at the end of August, Brown told www.hullcityafc.net that the centre back had probably made his return to action against Newcastle too soon.

"Anthony probably came back a little bit too early," said Brown.

"He wanted to play against Newcastle and he finished that game in a little bit of distress with regards to the injury.

"We rested him on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday last week when he trained with the physio.

"On Thursday and Friday, he felt a little bit of discomfort and that is why he didn't play on Sunday.

"It's all about the physio getting to know the bodies and the mentalities of the new players that have come in. He is getting to grips with that.

"Hopefully he will play some part in the Arsenal game, but if not we'll look at the Tottenham game and that is one he would dearly love to play in."