Mike Phelan admits Hull do not possess a squad capable of competing in the Premier League.
Phelan, caretaker manager of the newly-promoted Yorkshire club following Steve Bruce's departure last month, has just 13 first-team players to select from for the visit of champions Leicester.
Asked whether it was possible to compete in the English top-flight in such circumstances, the 53-year-old said: 'I would say no, simply because of the injuries, and the injuries are not short-term.
'Most of them are longer term than we expected.'
Given their chronic player shortage as highlighted by Curtis Davies, it seemed inevitable that Hull would add to their squad before Friday's midday registration deadline.