Hull City vs Bolton Wanderers - Michael Dawson in line for Hull City return against Bolton Wanderers

Michael Dawson is set to return to the Hull side for their Championship clash with Bolton.

Dawson has made a quicker-than-expected recovery from a hamstring injury he sustained during the Tigers' 1-1 draw with Bristol City on November 21.

Alex Bruce is ruled out with the back injury he sustained in last week's defeat to Leeds while strikers Abel Hernandez and Adama Diomande are also almost certain to miss out.

But boss Steve Bruce will welcome the likely return of winger Shaun Maloney who was laid low by a sickness bug against Leeds.

Mark Davies will return from suspension for a Bolton team without a win in 13.

The central midfielder served a one-game ban for five bookings as bottom-of-the-table Wanderers went down 3-2 to Cardiff in a game which saw Jose Manuel Casado dismissed.

He will now be suspended for Wanderers' trip while in a week which saw plenty of bad news for boss Neil Lennon off the field, it was confirmed that Max Clayton may be missing for four months with a ruptured hamstring.

Zach Clough (shoulder) could return for the club's next home game versus Fulham and Wellington Silva's comeback from a hamstring injury will come just after that.