Bruce insists '˜business as usual' at promoted Hull

Bruce has broken his silence after mulling over his future for the past month following the club’s promotion back to the Premier League, with the 55-year old’s long-term position uncertain with Tigers owner Assem Allam seeking to sell the club.

Two consortiums are said to be interested, including one from the US and another from China and it remains to be seen if Bruce figures in their plans.

But the north-easterner is intent on focusing on the season ahead and not getting side-tracked.

In an open letter to the club’s supporters, Bruce, also mentioned as a possible candidate to succeed Roy Hodgson as England’s new manager, said: “I am looking forward to joining up with my players and staff in Portugal next week for our pre-season training camp.

“Despite the talk of potential takeovers, my focus is on what happens on the pitch and as far as I am concerned, it is business as usual.

“We plan to make improvements to our squad in the coming weeks and a transfer budget and wage structure has been set by the board for the new campaign. It is simply not correct that I have been told I cannot sign any players as reported this week.

“Since the play-off final, I have been in contact with our board of directors and other officials on a regular basis and I am confident we all understand what we need to do to be ready for the Premier League season ahead of us.

“We are already looking at potential targets in order to strengthen the squad. In addition to strengthening, we have also started working on several other projects including alterations at our training ground in Cottingham.

“Preparations for next season have been well under way since we left Wembley in May.

“As supporters we need you now more than ever, let’s make the KCOM Stadium a difficult place for teams to come to next season starting with Leicester on the opening weekend.”

Hull, linked with a move for Derby County midfielder Jeff Hendrick, have allowed young defender Max Clark to join League Two side Cambridge United on a six-month loan.