Norwich City boss Chris Hughton welcomes Hull City to Carrow Road on the back of having been given a vote of confidence by the club's board.

Canaries chief executive David McNally publicly announced this week that Hughton's job was safe as long as Norwich were not in the Premier League relegation zone.

The former Republic of Ireland international is living on the edge, though, with a six-match winless run in the top division leaving them only two points clear of the bottom three.

Hull's fight against the drop is going more swimmingly at present, with Steve Bruce's men 10th in the table and three points clear of their opponents this Saturday, and their attempts to maintain their Premier League status were boosted this week by the signing of Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic from Everton.

He could go straight into the starting XI, but is unlikely to be partnered by Shane Long, who could become the second forward to come through the KC Stadium door in the space of three days. However, his £7m deal from West Bromwich Albion probably won't go through in time for him to feature in East Anglia.

Robbie Brady and Sone Aluko remain long-term absentees, but Bruce now has all of his defenders fit having seen his back line depleted over the festive period. Robert Koren could be recalled in midfield in favour of George Boyd, who should be included among the substitutes along with Yannick Sagbo.

John Ruddy, Martin Olsson, Leroy Fer and Gary Hooper will all probably be recalled by Hughton after sitting out the FA Cup defeat to Fulham in midweek. Mark Bunn, Javier Garrido, Josh Murphy, David Fox and Johan Elmander could make way.

New signing Jonas Gutierrez may make his debut after arriving on loan from Newcastle United. He is expected to be preferred to Wes Hoolahan in Norwich's five-man midfield, with the playmaker still being linked with Aston Villa.

Canaries record signing Ricky van Wolfswinkel may have to settle for a place among the substitutes again and he could be joined on the bench by Alexander Tettey and Anthony Pilkington, who are poised to return to the squad following injury layoffs, but Michael Turner and Jonny Howson remain unavailable.

Recent form

Norwich: LDLLDD

Hull: LLWLDD

Possible starting lineups

Norwich: Ruddy; Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Olsson; Redmond, Fer, Johnson, Gutierrez, Snodgrass; Hooper

Hull: McGregor; Elmohamady, Bruce, Davies, Chester, Figueroa; Huddlestone, Livermore, Meyler; Koren; Jelavic

Sports Mole says: 1-1