Steve Bruce didn't expect relegation battle

Steve Bruce has admitted that he did not expect his team to be in a relegation battle heading into the 2014-15 Premier League season.

The Tigers are in the final relegation spot heading into the last round of fixtures, knowing that they must beat Manchester United and hope Newcastle United slip up against West Ham United to remain in the top flight.

The manager told ESPN: "At the end of August when I looked at the squad I didn't think we would be in this situation. There have been many reasons why but I don't really want to make excuses, this isn't the time for it.

"We've had a tough four or five months with big players not being able to take part but we've got to take it on the chin and accept we haven't been good enough. We've got one last chance to redeem ourselves."

Hull finished 16th in the table last year after winning promotion to the Premier League the year before.