Championship leaders Hull will be without skipper Michael Dawson for up to a month due to a hamstring injury.
The Tigers have responded brilliantly to relegation, with Steve Bruce's side currently top of the standings following an impressive 11-match unbeaten run.
Much of that success has been down to City's sturdy defence -- the best in the Championship -- but that could be destabilised by an injury to key man Dawson.
The former Tottenham captain had to be taken off 37 minutes into Saturday's 1-1 draw at Bristol City, and the club have confirmed the 32-year-old could now be out for a month.
"Scans have confirmed that Michael Dawson sustained a grade two hamstring injury during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Bristol City," read a statement on the club's official website.
"The injury is expected to keep Dawson out of action for three to four weeks."
Dawson was already due to miss Friday's match against Derby through suspension, which will also keep out left-back Andrew Robertson.
David Meyler faces eight weeks out due to a knee injury, while Adama Diomande and Robert Snodgrass have yet to feature this season.
