Hull City Football Club expect Ian Ashbee to return to action in the future.

The Tigers skipper has not played since last May as he recovers from knee surgery, whilst he is also battling against degenerative bone condition.

It has been suggested that the 33-year-old may be forced to retire in the near future, but manager Phil Brown expects him to pull on his boots again.

"I'm an optimist and think Ash will play again before the end of the season. That has to be the challenge,” he said in the News of the World.

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