When Bullard arrived at the KC Stadium in a £5million deal from Fulham last January it was supposed to be a statement of the club's Premier League intentions. But two serious knee injuries have limited Bullard to only 15 appearances for the Tigers and his reported £45,000-a-week wages are a major outlay for a club struggling with large debts and heading for the Championship. Newcastle and West Brom have been linked with moves for Bullard but, given his injury history and patchy form, Hull can expect to recoup only a fraction of what they paid. Dowie said: "I wouldn't be surprised if there's some movement there for Jimmy to play in the Premier League. Not because of anything other than the fact the wages aren't sustainable." Bullard has come in for criticism from a number of Hull fans for his performances since he returned to fitness in March following his latest knee problem. It is a far cry from his first spell in the team, when he inspired the Tigers to an unbeaten run in November and picked up the Barclays Player of the Month award. Dowie admitted the playmaker's form has been inconsistent but feels he has been made a scapegoat for the team's problems. "It's been a mixed bag and I think he would agree with that himself," said Dowie. "But too much is talked about with Jimmy - it can't always be just him being at the root of all problems. I think that's very harsh on the lad. "He's come back and the team's been in a worse run of form and it's not as easy to flourish in a team that's not full of confidence." Dowie's own future, meanwhile, is far from certain, with his short-term contract due to run out at the end of next week. Both Dowie and chairman Adam Pearson have stressed sorting out the club's financial problems are a greater priority than appointing a manager for next season, and the former Crystal Palace and Charlton boss insists he is happy with the situation. He said: "I knew what I was coming into. You can't now say 'oh, it's not fair' and moan, that's not what I'm about. Adam made it very clear and he's been very honest with me. "He's got a lot on his plate rescheduling the finance of this club and that's the most important issue. My future is secondary. What is important is that they get a manager in as soon as they can to move forward. "We're due to meet anyway next week but whether that's about my future or the club's future, that's a discussion that will come out in the fullness of time." Dowie has already indicated his desire to stay on at the KC Stadium, and he added: "I like the area and I've had a very good response from the players. I'm a very passionate person, I want to right the wrongs. In my time we haven't done well enough. "I think there's some potential here. Clearly there's huge challenges in terms of reshaping the squad but they've got a man in Adam who knows what he's doing. Hopefully, there can be exciting times ahead." Hull end their two-year stay in the Premier League at home to Liverpool on Sunday, and Dowie is hoping they can go out with a bang. He added: "We know the magnitude of the task against one of the giants of the game in Liverpool but I think it's very important we show what we're about and, on our last hurrah for a period of time, we've got to make sure we show that we've brought value to the Premier League." Dowie is likely to be without Bullard (ankle) and Caleb Folan (knee) for the KC Stadium clash.
