Hull City boss Steve Bruce has pinpointed his side's injuries as one of the main reasons for their perilous position in the Premier League.
The Tigers are two points adrift of safety in 18th place in the table following Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, which leaves them needing a victory against Manchester United on the final day to retain their top-flight status.
However, Bruce believes that his side have had poor luck in regards to injuries as they have been without key players such as Nikica Jelavic, Michael Dawson and Mohamed Diame for long spells of the campaign.
He told reporters: "You can see what Jelavic brings to the team, we've been without him for six months, we've been without Diame for six months, Dawson for four and a half months.
"Too often we've got big players out who we've paid big money for and there is the problem.
"Over a period of the season we've not been able to cope with the loss of the big players."
Hull take on the Red Devils on the final day at the KC Stadium.
Simon Sinclair
