Brown looking to put daylight between Hull and drop zone

Not so long ago the idea that Hull City versus Stoke City would represent one of the games of the Premier League season would have seemed far-fetched, even after promotion from the Championship for both clubs last May. But so entangled is the relegation zone that this afternoon West Bromwich Albion, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United and Sunderland will all be eager to hear bulletins from the KC Stadium.

Should Hull win, they would move six points above Newcastle and Middlesbrough, who do not meet until Monday night at St James' Park. A six-point cushion with two games to go is some incentive for Hull. Defeat, however, would leave them vulnerable. Phil Brown's team have a worse goal difference than Newcastle, meaning a first win for Alan Shearer as manager on Monday would lift the Geordies out of the bottom three.

"Of course we would like to win and of course we would like to put six points between us and the bottom three – these things are up for grabs," said Brown yesterday. "A lot of people have made reference to how Stoke play but it is about how we approach the game."

For Stoke there is the guarantee of safety should they win. Hull have won only three home games this season and have lost inspirational captain Ian Ashbee.

Middlesbrough have also lost their captain for the rest of the season, Gareth Southgate confirming yesterday that Emanuel Pogatetz is to have an operation on his damaged knee.