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Premier League

Hull defender Anthony Gardner could be forgiven for wondering what might have been as Everton visit the KC Stadium this week.

The 28-year-old one-time England cap, whose career has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, endured an ill-fated loan with the Merseyside club last year.

Having fallen down the pecking order at Tottenham due to injuries, Gardner was allowed to move to Goodison Park for a short spell at the end of the 2007-08 campaign.

Yet various problems conspired to prevent him playing a single game for the Toffees and when a permanent move came up the following summer, it was to Hull and not David Moyes' side.

His first season at Hull proved another frustrating experience, featuring just eight first-team appearances, and there has already been a two-month lay-off this term.

Now at last Gardner is starting to get a run of games, and after playing in four consecutive matches for Hull for the first time, he is determined not to dwell on his past misfortunes.

Gardner said: "I went to Everton with an injury from Spurs and it took most of the time I was there to get it right, so I never got an opportunity.

"I wasn't playing at Spurs at the time and thought it was a good opportunity to maybe play some games.

"It didn't turn out that way but you learn from things like that. These experiences happen.

"I'm not the first and I won't be the last that that kind of thing happens to."

Everton finished fifth and reached the FA Cup final last season, earning qualification for the Europa League in the process.

Gardner might feel he could have been involved in that had things worked out differently but that is not a thought he wants to entertain.

"Everyone wants to play in Europe, as I did at Spurs," he said. "Everyone wants to play in it every year but at the minute I'm happy I'm fit and playing in a Premier League side.

"I'm at a good club and I can't moan."

Gardner's importance to Hull grew after Michael Turner was sold to Sunderland earlier this season and he now just wants a good run in the side to prove his worth.

Hull, who drew 3-3 with West Ham last weekend to move up to 16th in the Barclays Premier League, have a difficult week ahead with Wednesday's game followed by a trip to Manchester City on Saturday.

Gardner said: "I'm looking to play every game I can and if that means playing games with no breaks, that is perfect for me.

"You get your form from playing games back to back."