Hull skipper Ashbee helped to guide the club into the top-flight in 2008
Hull City captain Ian Ashbee has signed a new one-year contract despite being sidelined with a knee ligament injury.
The 32-year-old midfielder has been out since May and is unlikely to play again until at least March.
Ashbee was out of contract at the end of the season, but has now committed himself at the KC Stadium until 2011.
The deal was sealed before former chairman Paul Duffen's exit and revelations that the club faces severe financial problems if relegated.
The Premier League club have had a traumatic few weeks with Adam Pearson replacing Duffen as the club's chief and auditor Deloitte warning the Tigers could go out of business if they fail to retain their Premier League status.
With Hull currently hovering just one point off a relegation spot, they will be hoping their skipper makes a speedy recovery.
A club statement said: "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 suffered a recurrence of a problem first encountered in 2005 when undergoing a routine operation on a knee injury sustained in May forcing him to miss the season's final three games.
He then had extensive surgery in Colorado which involved drilling holes in his femur to stimulate bone growth.
Ashbee, who led Hull into the Premier League in 2008 and helped them avoid relegation last season, arrived at the KC Stadium in 2002 and has played for the club in all four professional divisions.
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