Hull V Tottenham Hotspur at The KC Stadium : Match Preview

23 November 2014 12:15
Hull V Tottenham Hotspur - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Trio back for Tigers

Hull expect to welcome Allan McGregor, Michael Dawson and Nikica Jelavic back for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Tottenham.

The trio have all been missing in recent weeks but have trained fully during the international break and look set to start.

Captain Curtis Davies has been struggling with a back problem but is hoping to prove his fitness, while Alex Bruce is available following a hamstring injury.

Andrew Robertson is expected to start at left-back and Hull manager Steve Bruce believes he "has the world at his feet" after his starring role against England.

The 20-year-old left Dundee United in the summer for a modest B#2.85million and has rapidly become one of the rising stars of the Premier League.

He has excelled in his early Tigers performances and earned a whole new level of exposure by starring for Scotland in the recent international break.

Robertson was a stand-out performer in the 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland and went on to score a fine goal in the friendly defeat by the old enemy on Tuesday.

Admiring glances and lofty praise has followed in the wake of those performances, and Bruce was in no mood to downplay them ahead of Sunday's clash.

"He is a truly fantastic young talent who can only get better. He's a wonderfully gifted young lad who's got the world at his feet," the Hull boss said.

"He's gone from playing second division football in Scotland to scoring a goal against England in a couple of years. A 20-year-old lad playing one-twos past England players and smashing it in the bottom corner - that will stay with him for a long time, being the proud Scot he is."

Tottenham will be without defender Kyle Naughton through suspension.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino will check on the fitness of several players who were away on international duty, such as striker Emmanuel Adebayor, before deciding on his travelling party.

Kyle Walker continues to miss out following abdominal surgery, while Nabil Bentaleb is absent due to an ankle complaint.

With Hull defender Dawson expected to return from injury, he will come up against his former side.

Dawson headed to the Tigers in August after not being able to hold down a regular place in the Spurs backline.

The 31-year-old, though, was a popular figure at White Hart Lane, with some fans suggesting he could have helped solve Spurs' inconsistencies following a fourth home Premier League defeat to Stoke before the international break.

Pochettino, who took charge at the start of the season, just wants to move on ahead of the clash.

"It was not only my decision - we had a chat with Michael about the situation and we agreed the best thing for him was to join Hull," he said.

"We were transparent with him all the way and we had a very good relationship - we always talked face-to-face, but I don't (regret letting him go) because it wasn't only down to me.

"It was a shared decision - between me, Michael, the club, and we decided the best thing was for him to join Hull.

"It is always sad, for the people who have been close to you for 10 years, when you part because you share a lot of emotions together.

"But this is professional football and when you decide to do something different, you need to look forward.

"Dawson chose to join Hull shortly after I arrived, while the decision to sell (Jake) Livermore and (Tom) Huddlestone was taken before I came here, but I am not scared of our old players at Hull.

"We need to be more concerned about improving our own game and the focus will be on how we perform on Sunday.

"I have been happy with Younes Kaboul as captain and I am happy with all my players.

"We need to improve, it's true, but our problem is at home.

"We have only lost five games out of 19, but four of those have been at White Hart Lane."


Source: PA