The 40-year-old former Manchester United midfielder made his debut in a Premier League dugout on the opening day when his Blackburn Rovers side claimed a dramatic 3-2 win at Everton.

It was a dream start for Ince, whose team host the Tigers today, after succeeding Mark Hughes at Ewood Park during the summer and continued his dramatic progress through the managerial ranks after taking a huge risk when taking charge of lowly Macclesfield Town a couple of months into the 2006-07 campaign.

Unlike many of his former international team-mates who are parachuted straight into a top job, Ince was determined to learn the job from the bottom and after keeping the Silkmen in the Football League against all the odds he went on to lead MK Dons to the League Two title last May.

Hull manager Brown said: "I bumped into Paul in a restaurant in Portugal when he was with his family and I was with mine. We had a glass of wine and shared a few comments.

"But I don't really know him. Having said that, I am not surprised he has got this chance (in the Premier League). It was only a matter of time.

"There is no doubt he will have benefited from managing lower down. He has served his apprenticeship, albeit a short one.

"He is clearly a quick learner, while throughout my career I was notoriously a slow learner – I didn't come into football until I was 20, I didn't get my biggest move until I was 28 and I didn't become a manager until I was 47."

Brown's career in coaching may have been mostly spent as No 2 to Sam Allardyce until belatedly going into management with Derby County in 2007, but he travels to Ewood Park as Ince's equal. Both enjoyed opening day victories and the City manager, while well aware of Blackburn's attacking threat, is adamant his side can again spring a surprise today.

He said: "We looked at the Fulham game and it was one we fully expected to get something from. Blackburn is another opportunity to get something.

"The bottom line, though, is Blackburn have a frontline that is the envy of some top Premier League clubs. They are talking about big money for (Roque) Santa Cruz, Jason Roberts has plenty of Premier League experience and Benni McCarthy couldn't get in the team despite being the top scorer last season.

"But I know what my players are capable of and if they fulfil that, we will be okay this season."

Despite City's opening day heroics, Brown recognises further strengthening needs to be done before the end of the extended transfer window at midnight on September 1.

He said: "We are still in the market and I am still getting my 500 daily calls. Hopefully, something will happen between now and September 1 as I understand it has been moved back.

"If we ask nicely, maybe they will move it back to the third if we have not got our targets in!"

George Boateng is Hull's only slight injury doubt with a thigh strain.

Brett Emerton will return to the Blackburn squad as they look to build on their winning start.

The Australia international missed the win at Everton with a foot injury sustained against Benfica in pre-season but is back in contention after a successful return to full training.

Ince has no other injury problems after his players returned unscathed from the midweek internationals.