Bruce lines up Heskey for Hull

Sky Sports understands that Emile Heskey will become Steve Bruce's first signing as manager of Hull City.

Former England striker available on a free transfer

Sky Sports understands that Emile Heskey will become Steve Bruce's first signing as manager of Hull City. Bruce was appointed as the new Tigers boss on Friday after Nicky Barmby was sacked last month. And the 51-year-old former Sunderland boss wants to bring Heskey to the Championship club after the forward was released by Aston Villa at the end of the season. Heskey and Bruce worked together at Birmingham City from 2004 to 2006 and the former England man would represent a high-profile acquisition at the KC Stadium. The 34-year-old made it clear upon leaving Villa that he had no plans to retire, but had expressed a desire to stay in the Premier League. Heskey said at the time: "I want to carry on playing. I'm 34, I still feel I can play so I don't see why I need to retire just now. "I still want to play at Premier League level. From when I started, I always said I wanted to play at the highest level wherever that might be. You always strive for that." But it seems the lure of playing for his old boss will tempt Heskey into signing for Hull this summer.