Bruce plans contract talks with Hull stalwarts

The Tigers are locked in a relegation fight after going nine games without a win.

This, though, has not stopped Bruce from looking to the future and the need to tie down seven players who helped Hull to promotion in 2012-13.

Defenders Liam Rosenior, Alex Bruce and James Chester, along with midfield quartet David Meyler, Robbie Brady, Ahmed Elmohamady and Stephen Quinn are all to get contract extensions at the KC Stadium.

All seven will see their current agreements come to an end inside the next 18 months, and Hull manager Bruce believes they still have key roles to play in the East Riding.

He revealed: “We are looking at all of those players, and talks with them are on the agenda.

“We would be wise to start entering negotiations with them, and we will probably get together in January, I would have thought.

“There is no immediate rush, but there will be a lot of talking going on there, for sure.

“We are not in the healthiest situation in the league at the moment, so let’s hope we are in mid-table by the time discussions begin.

“All those lads deserve new deals, so let’s hope we can tie them up because they have been terrific in the way they have served me and this club over the last couple of years.”

Bruce’s focus for the next couple of weeks is a potentially season-defining run of four games over the festive season.

Hull host Swansea City on Saturday and then travel to fellow strugglers Sunderland on Boxing Day.

Leicester City come to the KC two days later before the Tigers kick off 2015 with a New Year’s Day home clash against Everton.

Yorkshire’s sole top flight representative then take on Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on January 4 at the Emirates in a re-run of last May’s final.

Former Rotherham United manager Ronnie Moore has been appointed the new boss of Hartlepool United.

Steve Clarke has been named the new Reading manager as the Championship club moved swiftly after Nigel Adkins was sacked following their 6-1 loss to Birmingham City.