Hull City's Clucas set for Premier League move

Hull boss Leonid Slutsky revealed Sam Clucas did not play in the 2-1 defeat at QPR because a deal has been agreed for the midfielder to leave.

A bid from Swansea for Clucas was recently rejected but he appears to have played his final game for the Tigers.

Slutsky said: “I think he is preparing to go to another club. I don’t know absolutely, but I think yes. I don’t know (which club) but it’s Premier League.

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“I think there will be official information. It’s his decision. I only listen to information - I don’t take part in negotiations. I think a deal will be in some days.”

Injury-ravaged Hull led through Jarrod Bowen’s goal until Matt Smith, whose aerial presence made a difference when he came on, equalised after 74 minutes.

Seb Larsson was denied by a stoppage-time save from Alex Smithies moments before Idrissa Sylla scored Rangers’ winner.

It piled more misery on Hull, who lost Kevin Stewart just nine minutes into his debut.

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Stewart suffered a recurrence of an ankle injury and Fraizer Campbell was withdrawn at half-time with an abductor problem.

Slutsky said: “With Kevin it was the same injury. I will not know more until we have the results of the scan. It is the same with Fraizer Campbell.

“It is very hard for us because we lost players before this game and now we have lost two more.

“Of course I am very disappointed. It’s a very difficult time for us - a very difficult period.

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“We played with maximum energy and showed willpower, but it is a very difficult time. We will keep on fighting.

“Smith changed the game. We were not very good at controlling the second ball.”

QPR manager Ian Holloway paid tribute to Kazenga LuaLua, who played despite the death of his father.

LuaLua, on loan from Brighton, was beaten in the build-up to Hull’s goal and substituted in the second half.

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Holloway said: “Our fans won’t know that LuaLua’s father passed away last night and he still wanted to play.

“It was tough out there for him and that’s why I took him off. He blamed himself for the goal but he didn’t mean to do that. He’s a really good fella.

“On a personal level, I played the day I lost my dad and it’s not easy.”

Holloway hailed Rangers’ fighting spirit, which was highlighted by James Perch refusing to come off late on despite being injured.

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Holloway said: “They are in a great place at the moment. That was character.

“James Perch did his knee and I wanted him to come off and he wouldn’t come off.

“I should be happy about that but part of me wants to tell him off for not doing as he was told. It shows the spirit we’ve got.

“They’re learning as a group and I’m loving what they’re doing at the moment. I think our identity’s coming.

“It won’t be the best looking at times but we’re going to build a name for ourselves for not giving in.”