Hull City officials had their worst fears confirmed Wednesday, as marquee mid-season transfer pickup Jimmy Bullard was found to need ACL reconstruction and will miss the remainder of the 2008-09 Premier League season.

The 30-year-old midfielder just signed a 4½ -year, $7.5 million deal after coming over from Fulham, but only appeared in 37 minutes with his new club before hurting his knee while making his debut on January 28 against West Ham.

The outcome of the operation, conducted Stateside in Denver, Colo., was "far worse than first feared, with the club initially hoping he could recover with rest," according to the Daily Telegraph. Read the original story...