Ashbee, whose existing contract was due to run out at the end of the season, is currently sidelined with a serious leg injury but will be lifted by the club's offer of a new deal, that will see him stay with the Tigers until 2011.

The 33-year-old midfielder looks unlikely to return to the field until March at the earliest after undergoing major surgery on a career-threatening bone condition for a second time.

He was found to have suffered a recurrence of a problem first encountered in 2005 whilst undergoing a routine operation on a knee injury sustained in May.

He consequently underwent a complicated operation in the United States which involved drilling holes in his femur to stimulate bone growth.

A statement on the club's official website confirmed: "The club would like to announce that Ian Ashbee signed an extension to his existing contract on Friday 9th October.

"His new contract now expires on Wednesday 30th June 2011.

"Ian continues to work hard in his rehabilitation from a cruciate ligament injury and we look forward to seeing him back on the pitch as soon as possible."

Ashbee joined Hull in 2002 and has played for the club in all four professional divisions.

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