Hull City goalkeeper Vito Mannone likely to miss run-in

Mannone has made a total of eight appearances for Hull City

Hull City goalkeeper Vito Mannone is likely to miss the rest of the season with a thigh injury.

The 23-year-old Arsenal loanee was expected to be out for a month following the recurrence of the injury against Nottingham Forest in March.

Tigers boss Nigel Pearson told BBC Radio Humberside: "I don't expect to see him back this season because it's slow progress.

"He's concerned it's a re-occurring injury so we may not see him again."

The Italy Under-21 international first picked up the injury against Reading in December and only made his return in the match at the City Ground where the problem flared up again.

With Brad Guzan's loan spell at City ending after Saturday's game against Watford, the recalled Matt Duke will come back into the first team fold.

Duke is out of contract in the summer and Pearson added: "Matt's contracted to the club in the meantime, he's got an opportunity between now and the end of the season, let's see what happens.

"It goes without saying that we'll be looking to strengthen in that position [in the summer]."