The 30-year-old midfielder, who has played just 37 minutes for Hull since his £5million January move from Fulham, needs further surgery to repair a damaged knee ligament.

Bullard travelled to the United States earlier this week for an operation after jarring his knee on his Hull debut against West Ham last month.

The club had hoped the procedure, conducted by the same surgeon who operated on the player in 2006, would be minor but the injury has proved far worse than first feared.

Bullard spent 16 months on the sidelines after a major operation on the same knee in September 2006.

He returned to action to play a key role in Fulham's escape from relegation last year but left Craven Cottage after failing to agree a new contract.

Hull felt the dynamic midfielder could play a similarly influential role in the second half of their first season in the Barclays Premier League and gave him a four-and-a-half-year contract.

Yet the Tigers, whose form has dipped since a bright start to the campaign, will now have to make do without him.

Phil Brown's side are just six points above the bottom three after winning only one of their last 16 games ahead of Monday's visit of Tottenham.

A club statement read: "Jimmy Bullard underwent a procedure last night in America to repair a torn cartilage.

"Whilst performing the arthroscopy, the surgeon noticed fresh damage to his anterior cruciate ligament.

"In the best interests of both the player and Hull City Football Club it was decided to undertake a reconstruction of the damaged ligament which means that Jimmy will be unavailable for the remainder of this season.

"The club wishes Jimmy a speedy recovery and look forward to his return in a Tigers shirt as soon as possible."

Bullard was one of three new faces brought in by manager Phil Brown in January to bolster his squad along with Kevin Kilbane from Wigan and Manucho in a loan deal from Manchester United.

His injury was initially said not to be serious and it was hoped rest would be sufficient.

Scan results were sent to Bullard's surgeon, Dr Richard Steadman, in Colorado but an operation was not deemed necessary.

Bullard then travelled with Hull to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp and participated in sessions, but he went to the US in person after a further setback.

Hull face a crucial few days in their season next week with the Spurs clash followed by an FA Cup fifth-round replay against Sheffield United on Thursday and a visit from Blackburn on Sunday.

Hull chairman Paul Duffen has defended the club's signing of Bullard and dismissed any fears the player's career may be over.

Duffen also insisted Bullard was put through a thorough medical before the deal was completed and that the new injury is unconnected to his past problems.

Duffen told Sky Sports News: "We have signed him for four-and-a-half years and the important thing now is we can look forward to welcoming Jimmy Bullard as a new signing all over again next season.

"When he came to the club, we obviously knew what his medical history was, but the MRI scans we went through showed there wasn't a problem with a former injury.

"It is definitely something, as was discovered by the surgeon yesterday, that is a new trauma. This is something that has happened since, during the game at West Ham.

"This isn't a career-ending injury, this is a setback. Cruciate reconstructions are quite routine now in football and he is in the hands of the best-renowned surgeon in the world.

"I am sure we will see Jimmy back before too long."