Hull boss Steve Bruce hails Abel Hernandez after win

Hull manager Steve Bruce will look to Abel Hernandez to fill the gap left by the imminent departure of fellow striker Nikica Jelavic.

Hernandez scored his second Sky Bet Championship goal of the season as the Tigers beat Preston 2-0 at the KC Stadium.

The Uruguayan also netted in the 2-1 defeat to Charlton, and Bruce believes he is starting to show the sort of form he wants to see from the forward.

Bruce said: "Abel has scored two in a week. One came off his backside from a yard and the other was a tap-in from a yard.

"You can see he's handling life better and getting used to it. I'm still convinced we've got a very good player on our hands."

Bruce said he had left Jelavic out with two clubs showing an interest in taking him away from Hull, but refused to name the clubs when asked.

"We had a bid late (on Friday night)," he said. "Two clubs have shown their hand. We will see what happens over the next 24 to 48 hours, but come Tuesday I would expect Jelavic to be gone."

The win moved Bruce's side up to second in the table, with early indications that they will be challenging for a quick return to the Premier League.

The hosts went ahead late in the first half when Preston could not clear a flag kick from Sam Clucas.

Neil Kilkenny kicked the ball off the line but it hit Hernandez and ricocheted into the goal.

Davies made the victory safe with nine minutes remaining as he volleyed high into the net from an out-swinging corner by Shaun Maloney, who had joined the Tigers two days before the game from Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire.

Preston rarely threatened, their best chances falling to Chris Humphrey and Alan Browne, and suffered a defeat which leaves them 17th in the table.

Bruce praised Davies and defensive partner Michael Dawson.

"I thought my two centre-halves today were terrific, absolutely terrific," he said.

Preston manager Simon Grayson was disappointed but thought his team had caused Hull problems, particularly early on.

He said: "Michael Dawson is man of the match so it tells you they have been tested.

"Dawson and Davies have played in the Premier League for many years so you can see how good their players are."

Grayson is keeping his fingers crossed striker Jermaine Beckford, who missed the game with a knee injury suffered in pre-season, does not need an operation.

"He will have to see a surgeon and then we will know more after that," he said.

Of a possible move in the transfer window to replace Beckford, he added: "We know where we need to strengthen, so we will see if we can do anything."