After a disconcerting start to their pre-season preparations for a return to the Premier League, Hull City have taken drastic action to try and resurrect their summer.

Bruce set to stay as injuries build up

Owner Assem Allam had put the club up for sale, causing manager Steve Bruce's future to be in the balance. An interview for the vacant England manager's position produced further discomfort, though reports suggest that Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce will win the race for "the hardest job in football", a decision set to be confirmed on Thursday.

In the meantime Allam has announced that any takeover talks will be put on hold until September. First team players Allan McGregor, Moses Odubajo and Alex Bruce all picked up long-term injuries in the last fortnight, before a handful of other players added to the injury list against Mansfield Town on Tuesday night.

Captain Michael Dawson is set to be out for three months after picking up a medial ligament injury, whilst midfielders Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore returned with achilles and ankle injuries respectively that will keep them out for two weeks. The injury crisis has left Hull with just 13 fit first team players, as they remain the only Premier League club not to sign a senior professional this summer.

Bruce celebrates Hull's promotion. | Image credit: Nigel French/PA
Bruce celebrates Hull's promotion. | Image credit: Nigel French/PA

"The priority is strengthening the squad"

A club statement announced on Wednesday evening that "takeover talks have been placed on hold until the summer transfer window closes".  The statement then went onto claim that "the priority for the coming weeks is strengthening the squad, particularly given the number of injuries sustained to key players".

The news of Bruce staying and Allam suspending takeover talks can only be a positive for Hull, as it will ensure their manager can focus solely on preparing the squad for their return to the Premier League in just a few weeks time.

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