Talisman Aluko is ready to pressure £14m duo

By the end of that day’s training session, however, everything had changed with the 24-year-old 
instead being pencilled in for a late cameo against Sunderland just two days later.

The reason was simple: during the session at the KC Stadium, Aluko had displayed the kind of irresistible form that had made the striker Hull’s star turn in the opening two months of the season.

Bruce then made good on his vow to push the former Rangers man back into action earlier than planned by bringing him off the bench for the final 15 minutes at the Stadium of Light.

For Aluko, it meant the end of a near four-month stint on the sidelines – his second lengthy absence in as many seasons because of an Achilles injury.

“I have had two spells out now but this one was worse than last season,” said Aluko, who missed the entire second half of the 
Tigers’ promotion success through injury.

“This was the second time I had done it and my time out was a real roller-coaster. Some days I was very, very low, but I got through it.

“That is life and you have to be tough to survive. There is no shortcut to getting back. I wish there was. All I could do was spend plenty of hours in the gym and get the miles in on the training field.

“I had to be mentally tough. Fortunately, I have a good family and good people around me. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Aluko, signed by Bruce on a free transfer from Rangers after the Glasgow club’s collapse in the summer of 2012, was sorely missed by Hull.

Last term, for instance, it was no coincidence that Hull’s best form came in the first half of the campaign when Aluko was terrorising opposition defences. This time around has been a similar tale, with the Nigerian international’s trickery and cunning on the ball being a major factor in Hull’s encouraging start.

Last Thursday’s training session – footage of which quickly made its way onto the internet – was a big reminder of Aluko’s quality.

One goal, in particular, proved a big hit with fans watching on YouTube as the forward controlled a pass from Tom Huddlestone and then beat Alex Bruce with a solitary touch before firing a shot into the corner of the net with pinpoint accuracy.

Manager Bruce even made mention of the strike when waxing lyrical about Aluko in his pre-match press conference the following day.

“It is nice when the manager says nice things like that,” admitted Aluko. “But that also brings pressure. It adds to things in a way, almost like the lads need you.

“At a time when I was desperate to play anyway and do my bit, that was hard. But I will admit it is nice to feel appreciated. That is human nature. The lads were as pleased as I was, too, when I came back, and that was really nice.”

While out injured, Aluko, whose previous contract was due to run out next summer, signed a new two-and-a-half year deal. The news, announced a couple of days into the new year, was a big boost for not only the East Riding club but also Aluko.

It marked a fresh start after 2013 had been largely wrecked by injury, problems with his Achilles having first emerged with the January 1 trip to Blackpool.

“I can’t agree with that,” said Aluko when asked by the Yorkshire Post if he had been glad to see the back of last year.

“There were some highlights in 2013 along with the two spells out.

“I don’t want to throw the whole year away as a negative. But, yes, I do hope that this year can be even better for me and the club.

“The great thing is the team I have come back into is very different. We spent a lot of money in January (on £14m duo Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic).

“When I left the team we didn’t have anything like that quality. It is going to be a big challenge to get back into the team but that is something I enjoy.

“Any professional would be delighted to see lads like these come in. You want to play with the best players possible, as that helps your game.”

With Southampton due at the KC tonight, Aluko could be in line for another cameo from the bench. Then, with both Long and Jelavic Cup-tied for next Monday’s trip to Brighton, he could be in line for a first start since breaking down in the warm-up before October’s 1-0 win over Sunderland.

“I am not sure what the plan is,” he said. “I haven’t looked at the FA Cup or anything like that. When you have time out of the side through injury, you learn not to make deadlines. I have to see how things react.

“It was great to come on against Sunderland, especially as I had suffered the injury against the same club. But it still has to be one day at a time.”

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Last six games: Hull City LLWDDW, Southampton WDWDWD.

Last time: Hull City 0 Southampton 2; March 20, 2012; Championship.

Referee: M Atkinson (West Yorkshire).