Monday 22 December 2014 15:08, UK
Hull manager Steve Bruce has recalled Tom Ince and Maynor Figueroa from their loan spells in a bid to strengthen his squad ahead of the busy Christmas period.
The Tigers, who have a number of first-team players sidelined through injury, play five games in 16 days, starting with a visit to Sunderland on Boxing Day.
They are currently winless in 10 league games and have slipped to 19th place in the Premier League table with only Leicester keeping them off the bottom.
With Figueroa spending most of his time on the bench at Wigan and Ince out of sorts at Nottingham Forest, Bruce has recalled the duo to increase his options.
Defender Figueroa rejoined his former club in October and, like winger Ince, made six appearances during his loan spell.
A statement on Hull's website read: "Tom Ince and Maynor Figueroa have been recalled from their loan spells with Nottingham Forest and Wigan Athletic respectively.
"Both players will be available for selection for the Boxing Day fixture against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light."
England U21 winger Ince was a summer signing from Blackpool but made only four appearances before joining Forest on a temporary basis.
With Hatem Ben Arfa's unsuccessful loan from Newcastle now ended, Ince will be given the opportunity to compete with the likes of Gaston Ramirez and Robbie Brady for a first-team place.
Figueroa is likely to provide much-needed cover in defence with Michael Dawson out for a month, Paul McShane out of favour and both Curtis Davies and Alex Bruce coming off with calf complaints in Saturday's home defeat to Swansea.
