Garcia's current contract with the Tigers is set to expire but he was offered a new deal by the club last month.

But that was before the 29-year-old Socceroo re-injured his troublesome knee early in Hull's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace late last month.

Garcia had been stretchered off with a similar injury a fortnight before against Doncaster, having missed Australia's 2011 Asian Cup due to knee surgery.

Hull boss Nigel Pearson has now told the Hull Daily Mail that Garcia's future with the club could depend on the extent of his knee injury after going under the knife this week.

"He's had an operation and he's had a contract offer that he's not signed," Pearson said.

"We'll have to see how that develops. Obviously now he's had an operation it may alter the situation, we'll have to have a look at it.

"I've not had chance to speak with Richard or in great depth with the medical department about the severity of the injury so we'll see how it pans out this week."

Hull, who finished the Championship season in 11th, have already released Matt Duke, Craig Fagan, Anthony Gardner and Tijani Belaid.

Garcia made 26 appearances for the Tigers in all competitions last season, scoring two goals and providing two assists.