The goalkeeper hurt his back in the warm-up before the Chelsea defeat and missed last night's 4-0 Carling Cup victory over Notts County.
Carlo Nash deputised against the Magpies while Mike Pollitt faced Chelsea, and Pollitt is on stand-by to play at Hull.
But the Latics boss believes Kirkland could return to training tomorrow morning, which gives him a chance of turning out at the KC Stadium.

Bruce said: "We don't think Chris' injury is too serious – it's really just a problem which he's had since pre-season.
"We think he has a chance of playing against Hull. He'll train tomorrow and we will take things from there.
"At the moment it is an injury which just needs managing and keeping an eye on."

Kirkland watched from the directors' box as Latics comfortably brushed past Notts County to go into the hat for the third-round draw.
Henri Camara scored twice, with Amr Zaki and Tomasz Kupisz also on target.
Kupisz, 18, netted on his first-team debut after coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute.

Bruce was pleased with the victory, which was achieved without a number of first-team regulars who were rested ahead of the Hull game.
He said: "We played well, as we also did in pre-season and in the first two games against West Ham and Chelsea without getting anything from them.
"This win was good for confidence, although I'm sure things will be different at Hull on Saturday.
"I think I have all the makings of a decent squad – we have a good depth to it.

"At the moment we have five or six players missing for one reason or another, but I still managed to make six changes last night.
"I would have liked to have rested a few more players, but that wasn't possible. Hopefully we can build on this result and get ourselves going in the Premier League at Hull."

Emile Heskey was one of the first-team regulars who Bruce had to use last night because the squad was low on numbers.
Antoine Sibierski had been due to partner Camara up front but picked up a knock in training, meaning a start for Heskey who also skippered the side.