Steve Bruce delighted to have Jake Livermore back in squad

Jake Livermore is in a “good place” since returning from suspension according to Hull City manager Steve Bruce.

The 25-year-old midfielder tested positive for a banned substance earlier this year and was suspended by his club and the FA pending further investigation.

However, the FA ruled in September that he would face no further sanction due to the unique nature of the case as Livermore was dealing with the death of his newborn son Jake Junior.

Livermore made his return from five months off against Swansea in the Capital One Cup last month and played the full 90 minutes for his club in the 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest in the Sky Bet Championship on October 3.

Hull face Sheffield Wednesday in front of the Sky Sports cameras this Saturday and Bruce says he's delighted to have him back in the squad.

He told the FL72 Podcast: "He's back doing what he wants to do, and that's playing football. Thankfully, he knows he's done wrong and he's never denied that.

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"He's been brutally honest about it and we have to work every day with him to help him deal with the tragedies he's had. Thankfully, he's in a good place, training and working hard. He's enjoying being back playing football and we're delighted we've got Jake Livermore around because he's a very good player.

"He played 90 minutes at Nottingham Forest last week and he's got another good couple of weeks training under him. I would think in the next two to three weeks he'd be back where he should be but naturally fitness hasn't been a problem for him."