So it seems that Jimmy Bullard does need an operation on his troublesome right knee after all, and he is being sent to America for the specialist who has treated his knee before to do the honours.
This is news that will leave Hull City fans somewhat crestfallen, and also more than a little bamboozled. After all, the prognosis for Bullard has always been firmly positive from the club, stating with some conviction that the expensive midfielder did not need surgery, was not suffering from the same injury as that which nearly ended his career three years ago and was not representative of a bad bit of business.
The former is now shown to be untrue and certainly the amount of protestation which came from the club seemed to suggest that they were as much trying to convince themselves as they were the supporters. As for the latter two claims, the prediction is now an absence of three to eight weeks, depending on Bullard's personal healing capacity.
This isn't the end of the world, although it could prove as much a test of Bullard's commitment long term as well as short. If he returns from his arthroscopy in three weeks, then that's fine. However, an eight week absence - which, using Anthony Gardner's perennial "week away" as evidence, could yet turn out to be longer - would take us to the end of April and even then Bullard, lacking match fitness, could be deemed too fragile to take part in what may still be a relegation battle.
If City do go down, with Bullard unable to try to prevent this, will the club's faith in their star signing be replicated? Will Bullard see that he owes it to his new employers to restore the Tigers' position in the Premier League at the first attempt? Or will he, while thinking of his belated international ambitions and his own high profile, hanker for a move?
Of course, there is still more of a chance than not that City will survive this season and with an almost-certain trip to Arsenal denting burgeoning ambitions of FA Cup success, it is something on which focus will remain stringently. Bullard has only played 30 minutes of Premier League football for the Tigers so far - his sub appearance at West Ham United during which he suffered the injury - and has yet to appear at the KC Stadium as anything more than a spectator. The club may have been misled on Bullard's injury a touch, and the desire to get him well again should keep any recriminations between fans and club or club and medics to an absolute minimum.
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