Derby County v Hull City: In-form Tigers to face familiar face at Rams

The Liverpool defender spent the first half of the season on loan at the KC Stadium before returning to Anfield with a hamstring problem.

Then Reds manager Roy Hodgson was fuming with Hull over what he described as “handling of the injury that exacerbated the problem” and ruled out any possible return.

Since then, Hodgson has left Merseyside while Ayala has also moved on, albeit on a temporary basis, to join Derby County.

The 20-year-old, whose only goal for City came against the Rams, said: “To play Hull will be very special but I have to remember my focus is on helping Derby County win.

“Hull have been doing well lately and have quite a few new players from when I was there due to the new owners having bought many players. It means I won’t know the two strikers (Aaron Mclean and Matty Fryatt) I could be playing against that well.”

Nigel Pearson’s side will make the trip to Pride Park in confident mood after extending their impressive recent run to just one defeat in 17 Championship outings with a weekend draw at Ipswich Town.

In contrast, the Rams have won just one of their last 16 games – a run that included being dumped out of the FA Cup by non-League Crawley Town. City will be without Cameron Stewart tonight after the speedy wideman was stretchered off in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw at Portman Road.

Last six games: Derby County LLLDLD, Hull City DDDWWD.

Referee: A D’Urso (Essex).

Last time: Derby County 2 Hull City 2; February 10, 2007; Championship.