No room for sentiment as Turner makes his return to the KC

Turner spent three years with Hull between 2006 and 2009, winning the official supporters’ club player-of-the-year award three times.

In the 2008-09 season, he achieved the rare feat of playing every minute of every Premier League match for the East Yorkshire club.

So when he runs out at the KC Stadium it would be strange if he did not feel a warm glow of familiarity for a club which is close to his heart and for whom he scored 12 goals in 129 matches.

If he does then he will not show it. There is precious little room for sentiment in the Premier League.

Turner said: “It’s exciting for me to go back there. I had three very good years there. It’s a big occasion for them, their first home game back in the Premier League. I kept my eyes open for Hull’s results last season and I was delighted they got promoted.

“It will be nice to go back and see some old faces. I have some good memories but after a good performance against Everton we will be looking forward to getting some points. I’m going back there to win.”

On top of the happy memories, Turner also has history with Hull manager Steve Bruce.

It was Bruce who backed Turner’s defensive talents with cash when he took him to Sunderland in 2009 for £4m.

Turner said: “I think he’s a great manager. I enjoyed working with him. He was a central defender himself and he worked hard with me on my game, giving me lots of advice and tips.

“He (Bruce)has brought in a lot of players over the summer so it will be interesting to see how he goes.”

Norwich began their campaign last weekend with a home draw against Everton but suffered a blow when midfielder Elliott Bennett was ruled out until the new year after undergoing surgery in midweek for a cruciate ligament injury.

Former Leeds United midfielder Robert Snodgrass is likely to replace him against Hull after recovering from a groin problem.

New Swedish signing Johan Elmander could feature if international clearance comes through in time, while Dutch central midfielder Leroy Fer also returns after missing the Everton match through suspension.

The mood in the Norwich camp is buoyant after their 11th-placed finish last season and a summer which has seen eight new signings arrive at Carrow Road.

“Everybody’s keen to fight for their places,” said Turner.

“It shows how far the club have come in recent years. The Premier League is where the big money is and the club have invested it right. I’m just trying to stay in the team and play regularly.”

At 29 there are a few years left in him yet, especially after he underwent a shoulder operation in the summer to clear up a niggling injury.

He said. “I had the operation in the summer and gave myself a couple of months to get myself right for the first game. I stayed here for two weeks rather than go on the club’s two-week tour of the US and just got myself fit so I was ready when they got back.”

Tottenham Hotspur have put Gareth Bale’s transfer to Real Madrid on hold as they look for new signings after being snubbed by Willian.

Reports had suggested that Bale would finalise his £93m transfer to the Spanish capital yesterday.

But it is understood Spurs are unwilling to sanction Bale’s move until they have signed at least one new player to fill the Welshman’s position.

Tottenham looked to be favourites to sign Willian from Anzhi Makhachkala. But Chelsea contacted Anzhi late on Thursday and had a £32m bid accepted.

Willian was very close to agreeing personal terms with Tottenham at the time following his medical at the club, but Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho indicated yesterday that the Brazilian will instead join the West London club.