Former Norwich City midfielder Dean Marney admits he is keeping his fingers crossed that Darren Huckerby will not be fit to face his current side Hull on Saturday.

Former Norwich City midfielder Dean Marney admits he is keeping his fingers crossed that Darren Huckerby will not be fit to face his current side Hull on Saturday.

Marney, who had a loan spell with the Canaries in 2005 while at Tottenham, has identified Huckerby as the danger man and hopes the 31-year-old does not figure in the City starting line-up at the KC Stadium.

Huckerby played a starring role in Norwich's 2-1 win there towards the end of last season and Marney is desperate to avoid a repeat.

“Hucks was the difference between the two sides last year and obviously from our point of view it would be better if he wasn't fit,” said Marney.

“They have got a lot of quality players but on his day he is a matchwinner and we will have to keep a close eye on him if he is fit enough to play.”

Huckerby played 56 minutes for the reserves on Tuesday night after recovering from what turned out to be a hip injury and looks set to travel up for the match.

However, whether manager Peter Grant will want to take a chance on the mercurial winger is unknown although a number of injuries to key personnel in the midfield could force his hand.

Huckerby is one of only a few players left at the club since Marney's loan spell, which was cut short due to an ankle injury sustained against Sheffield Wednesday.

“A lot of players have moved on but I keep in contact with Doc, Shacks and Hucks,” he said. “Considering it wasn't that long ago that I was at Norwich, a hell of a lot has changed.

“There are a lot of new players and the way they've started it looks like they will do well this year. It will be nice to see some of the old backroom staff though.

“I get myself down to Norwich quite a lot as I met my girlfriend while I was there. It's a lovely place and as I said, I was gutted when I got the injury to cut my loan spell short.”

Hull are yet to register a victory from either of their opening league games against Plymouth and Coventry but Marney warned the Canaries that first win is just around the corner.

“We've not had the best of starts but the lads are desperate to get that first win in the league on the board,” he said. “We should have got something in the first game but we were a bit sloppy against Coventry and should have taken more than just a point.

“We will be going all out for the win on Saturday and it should be quite a good game as both sides do like to pass the ball.”