Hull City: No clear favourite in play-off battle '“ Bruce

Derby head into the game with the psychological fillip of doing the double over the Tigers in the 46-game season, winning 2-0 in East Yorkshire and following up with a 4-0 romp at the iPro Stadium - Hull’s biggest reverse of the campaign.

But manager Bruce feels that while the Rams have an edge in that respect, that the margins between both sides are thin with those games not having too much bearing on the forthcoming play-off battle.

He said: “They have beaten us twice, so they have that edge. (But) The game will be no reflection on what happened a few months ago.

“I don’t think there’s a clear favourite.

“There’s an unpredictability about the play-offs, which we’ve seen over the years.”

Bruce has no fresh injury doubts with midfielder David Meyler available after training all week following a hamstring problem.

Nick Powell is missing with a thigh strain, with Bruce admitting it is touch and go whether he will be available for Tuesday’s pivotal second-leg at the KC Stadium.