Hull City eager to welcome new faces into camp

Long-term injuries to Allan McGregor and Alex Bruce have brought into sharp focus the need to strengthen ahead of the Tigers’ return to the Premier League.

Hull, the last of all 72 Football League clubs to make a signing last summer, have been in talks with Wales striker Hal Robson-Kanu and Bordeaux defender Lamine Sane, and it is understood that progress has been made over the latter’s possible capture in a £3m transfer.

If both deals can be pushed through – and City face big competition for Robson-Kanu after his impressive display in Euro 2016 – then it will, at least, represent a start to the club’s transfer business in a summer when Bruce wants to bring in a new goalkeeper, two defenders, a midfielder and two forwards.

“We do need to strengthen,” said Snodgrass when asked about what needs to be done ahead of City’s return to the top table of English football. “You have to in the Premier League.

“The manager has touched on that himself, he wants to bring players in. As a player, when you see top quality signings come in, it gives you that confidence. We need to go in with a solid team and with lads who work hard for each other. That is what got us here in the first place.

“The strength and character came through when we had that dip towards the end of the season. People said, ‘Hull won’t do it now’. But we showed our character and did the job. But we need to strengthen as well.”

City’s squad – David Meyler and Abel Hernandez missed the trip due to international duties, while Ahmed Elmohamady had to sort out a visa issue – and staff will jet home from Portugal today after the club’s now customary pre-season training camp in Portugal.

Since Bruce took charge in 2012, the Tigers have headed to the Algarve in all five summers and Snodgrass insists the warm weather training – which has included double sessions every day – has been vital.

“A week like this is massive for all of us,” said the Scot. “A good pre-season under your belt, including the first part training in this sort of heat, is vital. The lads are working so hard and our heart rates are going to the red zone so the staff know where we are at. It is a massive 10 days.”