Premier League: Hull City's Alex Bruce says Southampton 'a bogey side'

Alex Bruce admits Southampton proved a handful for Hull City last season when the south coast club collected all six points in the Premier League.

Saints won 1-0 on their travels having earlier eased to a 4-1 victory at home.

Southampton have won their last four meetings with Hull who have tasted victory in just one of their most recent 15 games against them.

Southampton return to the KC Stadium on Saturday and defender Bruce believes it’s time for the Tigers to get one over on this weekend’s visitors.

He said: "They were a bit of a bogey team for us last year.

"They played very well here and at St Mary's. Hopefully we can put that right with a win.

"We have to approach it in the right way because we owe them one as it stands.

"They've hit the ground running this season but hopefully we can stop them in their tracks."

They've hit the ground running this season

Meanwhile, assistant manager Steve Agnew believes Tom Ince still has a major role to play at Hull despite the striker’s loan move to Nottingham Forest earlier in the week.

Ince has featured just three times in the league this season but Agnew insists: "Tom came in pre-season and did ever so well then started the season with us.

"We changed the shape of the team and then one or two players in or out and Tom was one of those.

"We felt he hasn't played as much football as we would have liked so Steve (Bruce, manager) agreed for Nottingham Forest to take him on loan until January.

"Hopefully he'll get some games in, perform like we know he can and it will be beneficial to all of us.

"He is a top player, an exciting player and one we're looking forward to working with for a good number of years."