Source: SKY_Sports
Tigers reject Barton link
Hull City have rejected reports that they were planning to make a summer swoop for Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton and are still to hold talks with Fulham striker Bobby Zamora.
The controversial 27-year-old is one of many high-earners at St James' Park who the Magpies are expected to attempt to offload following their relegation.
Tigers boss Phil Brown is keen to strengthen his squad after only narrowly avoiding the drop last term, but has no plans to bring in the former Manchester City man.
When asked if there was any truth in the rumours, assistant manager Brian Horton said: "No.
"Joey Barton is a very good footballer. I know him, I have done things with him in Manchester.
"He has obviously had issues and that is a shame because he can be a very good footballer but at this present time I don't think it's an area that really needs to be looked at."
The Tigers' £5million bid for Zamora was accepted by Fulham in the week, but the striker is yet to hold any discussions with the KC Stadium outfit and could yet remain at Craven Cottage.
Horton told Sky Sports News: "I've read in the papers that Roy Hodgson maybe doesn't want to sell him because he's had such a good pre-season.
"If that's the case, there's nothing we can do about it.
"An offer has been made, but at the moment there have been no talks with Bobby."
Frustrating
Hull have endured a difficult summer in the transfer market having seen Fraizer Campbell and Marc-Antoine Fortune move to Sunderland and Celtic respectively.
An audacious attempt to sign Michael Owen also came to nothing as Manchester United stepped in and Horton admitted: "It is frustrating, we are trying like hell.
"But they have gone to three big clubs. If we were losing Joe Bloggs from Division Three it would be a different matter.
"We want to bring someone in but we need to have a bit of patience, things will evolve. It's not the fact we are not trying to get better players in."
Horton also said nothing should be read into Brazilian star Geovanni's absence for the 6-0 pre-season friendly victory at UniBond League side North Ferriby.
Geovanni also missed the club's recent training camp in Italy for personal reasons but will be with the squad for Sunday's friendly at local amateurs Winterton Rangers.
Horton said: "He's trained this morning (Saturday) and will be with the team tomorrow.
"He didn't come to Bormio with us for various reasons so we'll assess his fitness tomorrow and if he feels capable of playing 45 minutes he will."
