Source: PA
Bullard's joy as Tigers retain Hunt
Jimmy Bullard has applauded Hull's decision to reject a £5million deadline day bid for Stephen Hunt and believes it will help galvanise the squad.
The debt-troubled Tigers entered the transfer window hoping to significantly trim both their first-team squad and their wage bill but resisted the temptation to cash in on Hunt when relegation rivals Wolves made a third improved bid on Monday.
Daniel Cousin and Peter Halmosi did depart the KC Stadium, on loan to Larissa and Szombathelyi Haladas respectively, but Bullard believes the continued presence of Hunt - who is expected to line up against title-chasing Chelsea on Tuesday night - represents a big boost to the club's survival hopes.
"It's good, it's brilliant," said Bullard, whose return from a knee ligament injury is expected to take another three to four weeks.
"It's is what you need to hear as a player. The longer we can keep Stephen Hunt the better it is for Hull City, without a shadow of a doubt. It's great news for all of us.
"Hunty's an all-rounder. As well as being a good lad he's fit, he's energetic, he's not afraid, he can get stuck in and he's been scoring goals for us. He has scored six, I think, which is great for a midfielder and we're just out of January. For me, he's the whole package."
