Hull City v Macclesfield: Duo complicate Hull’s move to capture Ayala

The Tigers agreed a fee of around £850,000 for the 20-year-old, who spent time on loan at the KC Stadium, over the weekend with the Reds and were last night still hoping to complete a deal.

But manager Nigel Pearson now faces a fight to ward off interest from Premier League Swansea and big-spending Ipswich to bolster his back-four options.

As keen as the Tigers chief is to bring the defender in, his most pressing concern tonight is what changes to make for the Carling Cup tie with Macclesfield Town.

Hull are without six of the 16 players who were on duty against Blackpool on Friday night due to international duty, plus another two – Liam Rosenior and Dele Adebola – through injury.

Robert Koren and Corry Evans are away with the Slovenia and Northern Ireland squads respectively for this week’s round of friendlies, while a quartet of Under-21 internationals – Peter Gulacsi (Hungary), Joe Dudgeon (Northern Ireland), Tom Cairney (Scotland), Robbie Brady (Republic of Ireland) – are also absent tonight.

Pearson has an opportunity to give run-outs to several of his squad with Adriano Basso and Martin Pusic in line for debuts against League Two Macclesfield.

Following the disappointing defeat to Blackpool when Hull failed to score despite creating a host of chances, Pearson is confident the goals will soon start flowing for his side.

Last six games: Hull City WLDDLL, Macclesfield Town LWDWDL.

Last time: Hull City 4 Macclesfield Town 0; December 4, 2004; FA Cup.

Referee: R Madley (West Yorkshire).