Hull City will delay talks on the long-term future of loanee Aaron Connolly, and a possible permanent move, until the end of the season.

Galway native Connolly had impressed in the initial phase of time with Hull, after earlier underwhelming loans with Middlesbrough and Venezia.

But a broken toe in February knocked him off course and he has missed the last the last 13 games for the club.

He was due to return for last week’s Championship game against Watford but was unavailable due to illness, though boss Liam Rosenior could call on the 22-year-old for the final two games of the season, away to Swansea and at home to Luton.

Connolly has a year left on his contract with Brighton but he appears to have no future there and the club may be willing to do a deal, Hull interested in making the loan move a permanent one. 

"I have a really good relationship with Brighton and can have a good dialogue and see what their plans are. He's contracted to Brighton and still a Brighton player,” Rosenior said.

"They are discussions we will have at the end of the season and it’s also what Aaron wants as well. It needs to be something everyone is happy with. We will make that decision in the summer once we have had the relevant conversations.”