Hull boss Nigel Pearson is set to bring unsettled midfielder Jimmy Bullard back into the side after an enforced period on the sidelines. The former Fulham and England star has been frozen out of the Tigers' squad after failing to secure a move away from Hull during the summer.

But with the side having lost three of their first five games in the Championship, Pearson is ready to return the 31-year-old to action and could put him back in the team for the upcoming games against Derby and Nottingham Forest.

"I'm prepared for him to be in the reckoning," said Pearson.

"Contrary to the way the story gets reported from time to time, there is an opportunity there. By no means have I written him out of the equation.

"It would be wrong of me to divulge every aspect of (Bullard's lengthy absence from the side).

"I understand people's questioning and their angles but there are certain things that have to be kept in-house.

"All I would say is that there will be an opportunity at some point and it will be done in the interests of the group."