• Jimmy Bullard and Nick Barmby in post-match ‘altercation’
• Hull players’ brawl witnessed by Women’s Institute group

Hull City’s manager, Phil Brown, has apologised for the “unsavoury” public bust-up between Jimmy Bullard and Nick Barmby this week.

Reports emerged claiming the two Hull players were involved in an altercation on a “warm-down” outing near the Humber Bridge following the 5-1 defeat by Everton on Sunday. The set-to was apparently witnessed by a large party from the Women’s Institute and Brown, who insists the matter has been dealt with “in house”, is keen to put the incident behind them.

He said: “I’d like to apologise to the Women’s Institute, I didn’t realise there was a rally going on there and there was apparently 50-100 women going on a march across the Humber Bridge and the incident was unsavoury, it was unfortunate.

“It happens on the training ground on a regular basis, under the control of the club, but it seems to have got out this time. The players have settled their differences now, it was back to normal on Tuesday and they are getting on with the job in hand, which is obviously the challenge of 10 games in the Premier League.

“These things do happen. I’m not condoning that kind of behaviour but it’s an emotive game, it’s a passionate game. Emotions do run high and certainly then the pressure is cranked up – which it is, we are coming to the business end of the season.

“It’s a sign that they care. Nick Barmby has obviously got himself involved with Jimmy Bullard. They are big players where we are concerned and I’m looking forward to the response of the group and of the two players in question.

“We’ll get on with it and deal with it. At the end of the day it has made headlines, because outside of the confines of the training ground we weren’t expecting it to be swept under the carpet. We’re big boys, we stand by our behaviour and have shaken hands and will get on with it.”

He added: “There are no fractures within the squad. This squad is united.”

The veteran Hull midfielder George Boateng added: “I’m sorry because I missed it, I wasn’t there. I would have paid to watch it!”

Hull CityPhil Brownguardian.co.uk

The winners could rise to 13th. The losers could drop into the relegation places. If there were not eight teams involved in the survival scrap, the game would be branded, erroneously, a six-pointer. Phil Brown calls the prospect “mouth-watering”. He has urged Hull, without an away win, to recall such victories as last season, at Arsenal and Spurs. They are buoyed anyway by George Boateng’s availability (red card rescinded). Jimmy Bullard may be on the bench. West Ham are buoyed by their 2-0 defeat of Birmingham. Jeremy Alexander

Venue Upton Park

Tickets £35-51 (0871 222 2700)

Last season West Ham 2 Hull 0

Referee M Atkinson

This season’s matches 20 Y84, R2, 4.30 cards per game

Odds West Ham 5-6 Hull 4-1 Draw 13-5

West Ham

Subs from Kurucz, Stech, Da Costa, Stanislas, Daprela, Collison, Mido, Ilan, Franco, Ngala, Spence

Doubtful Daprela (foot), Franco (hamstring)

Injured Gabbidon (hamstring, 23 Feb), McCarthy (knee, 23 Feb), Dyer (hamstring, 6 Mar), Ilunga (hamstring, 13 Mar), Boa Morte (knee, May), Hines (knee, May), Davenport (legs, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide WLDDDL

Disciplinary record Y47 R3

Leading scorer Cole 8

Hull

Subs from Duke, Zayatte, Kilbane, Olofinjana, Barmby, Garcia, Bullard, Zaki, Sonko, Ghilas, Marney

Doubtful Bullard (knee), Ghilas (thigh), Marney (calf)

Injured Geovanni (knee, 7 Mar), Ashbee (knee, May)

Suspended None

Form guide LWDDLD

Disciplinary record Y49 R3

Leading scorer Hunt 6

Match pointers

• Hull’s current run of 18 away matches without a win is the worst in the division

• West Ham were the only London side to win at home against Hull in 2008-09

• Jimmy Bullard’s only league appearance for Hull last season came at Upton Park and lasted 37 minutes

• If selected, Robert Green will be making the 350th league start of his career

• William Gallas and Aaron Hughes (2,340) are the only outfield players to have played more minutes in the Premier League than Andy Dawson (2,317) this season

West Ham UnitedHull CityPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk

• No swelling around Bullard’s knee joint
• Result likely tomorrow

Hull’s midfielder Jimmy Bullard will undergo a scan on his left knee at 6pm and the result is expected to be announced tomorrow.

Bullard, the Premier League’s player of the month for November, landed awkwardly after a challenge in the 3‑0 defeat at Aston Villa and limped off in tears.

The good news so far is that there was no swelling around the joint. The injury occurred in just his fifth appearance since returning from an eight-month lay off following surgery on the right knee.

He marked his full debut with a starring role in the 2-1 win over Stoke and then scored in draws with West Ham and Manchester City.

Hull CityPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk