Jimmy will fix it for Hull - Brown

12 April 2012

Hull manager Phil Brown believes the returning Jimmy Bullard will breathe new life into his team's season.

Bullard, Hull's record signing, is poised to make his first start for the club in Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash against Portsmouth at the KC Stadium. The £5million midfielder, 31, made his long-awaited return to action following knee surgery when he came off the bench in Monday's loss at Fulham.

Brown said: "You'd love to manage him - he's perfect, he's a dreamer. He wants to be the best player on the field of play every day."

He added: "It would energise anybody, not just the manager. If I was a player it would energise me because his enthusiasm is faultless.

"It's fantastic, he's always got a smile on his face. There is a natural enthusiasm where Jimmy is concerned that will stand football in good stead and hopefully Hull City in the near future."

Bullard, who also came through a 60-minute run-out for the reserves at Wigan on Tuesday, proved his inspirational qualities in Fulham's escape from relegation in 2008.

His potential return for Hull is timely with the Tigers 18th in the competition after collecting just seven points from nine games.

The visit of bottom side Portsmouth, who have lost eight from nine, is crucial for both sides but Brown is keen not to over-emphasise its importance.

He said: "People talk about must wins, but I don't think it is a must win.

"You want to go into every game wanting to win. Ten points from 10 games would be a half decent return and we'd go back to the drawing board for the second phase of the season."

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