Troubled Hull will listen to every offer, says Brown

But the Tigers manager has also reiterated that the club is only interested in moving on fringe members of the squad amid interest in the likes of Stephen Hunt, Dean Marney and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

City's wage bill of almost 40m means departures are inevitable this month to prevent the club's debt growing.

Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan was the first to approach the Tigers about signing his former Celtic striker Vennegoor of Hesselink only to be rebuffed, while Wolverhampton Wanderers are also believed to be tracking Hunt

Asked about the club's approach to transfer enquiries from rival clubs, Brown said: "In the January transfer window, we will listen to every offer and judge it on its merits.

"There is a lot of press speculation."

However, on Hunt, who has proved a huge success since joining from Reading for 3.5m in the summer, Brown added: "Stephen, as far as I am concerned and as far as the chairman is concerned, will be going nowhere.

"I have had the lad in (earlier this week) and asked him where he wants to be.

"His heart is firmly at Hull City and I would like to keep it that way in the January transfer window and for the rest of the season."

Another member of Brown's squad to have attracted interest this month is Dean Marney, while the out-of-favour Bryan Hughes and Tony Warner are also believed to have been the subject of enquiries.

Caleb Folan is also wanted by QPR along with Daniel Cousin, though the latter's move to Loftus Road is likely to be held up due to the striker being away on international duty with Gabon at the African Cup of Nations.

With today's game falling foul of the bad weather, Brown must now look ahead to back-to-back meetings with sides in the top four.

Next Saturday's trip to Tottenham Hotspur is followed by the rearranged fixture at Manchester United, which is now being played on Saturday, January 23 due to both sides being knocked out of the FA Cup.

Brown said: "January is a big month for everybody, none more so than ourselves."