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Our daily blog with the latest news, transfer rumours and gossip about Hull City in the Premier League.Wenger warns his Gunners side With just over a day to go until Hull City travel to North London to face the Premier League leaders, Arsenal have already come out saying they will have to be on their guard. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned the Gunners that the Tigers can repeat their win over Liverpool at the Emirates if they aren't careful. "Hull have done very well and they have nothing to lose when they come to us," Wenger said. "We have a warning from the Liverpool game. Hull are very dynamic going forward and on set-pieces they look strong as well" Meanwhile Wenger has questioned City chairman Assem Allam over his plans to change the name of the club to Hull Tigers The Frenchman sympathised with the fans following their chanting throughout the win over the Reds. "I don't see why it should happen. I don't know what has been happening exactly," he said. "Usually there's a tradition that is linked with the name of the club and overall the difference with the modern way of thinking is to combine tradition with forward thinking. "I don't think they (Arsenal fans) would react very well (if it happened to them) but I don't know why they want to change and I don't know the thinking behind it."Sagna misses out, but Chester returns On the team-news front, Arsenal's Bacary Sagna will miss the City clash with a hamstring injury, according to the Independent. Sagna is expected to be out for one match with Carl Jenkinson set to replace the French full-back. "I believe we will lose Sagna who has a slight hamstring problem and he should be out for tomorrow's game," Wenger said. "You expect when you play so many games with that much intensity that you will lose one or two players. "We have so many games that I always knew I'd have to make changes. Full-back is a demanding position." In good news for the Tigers, James Chester is set for his first appearance since September at the Emirates tomorrow. Chester has been out with a hamstring problem for over two months but has trained for the past fortnight and looks set to replace the suspended Curtis Davies.'No to Hull Tigers' campaign gains more exposure The 'No to Hull Tigers' campaign looks to be gathering pace, with Express columnist Mick Dennis urging fans across the football world to sign the petition. Dennis says Allam deserves some gratitude, but talks candidly about the community spirit and value in the game. "Hull thrashed Liverpool on Sunday, for heaven's sake. Doesn't Allam deserve gratitude?" Dennis said. "Of course he does. But gratitude does not equal unthinking servitude. "It is time for the Premier League, the Football League and the FA to recognise that names, badges and kit colours are community assets too. "In the meantime, there is something all proper football folk can do. There is an online petition to sign at citytillwedie.com or change.org. "Come on, we can overwhelm Allam. We can persuade him that the title City is not "common", as he has said. It is anything but. It is about identity. It is about tradition. "It is about a century of history, about justifiable pride. And it is a hard-won, special title. It is not something to be discarded casually." With national backing, the petition's exposure has grown dramatically over the last few days.Tigers brew up a tasty bottled beer Stocking up on the lagers for Christmas? Anybody who wants to celebrate a possible double scalp against Liverpool and Arsenal can now do so, after members of the City Official Supporters' Club created its own bottled beer. Tigers' Pride has been produced by Great Newsome Brewery to mark a decade of the group, which is run by and represents the club's supporters. The name for the amber-coloured beer came following a request by the supporters' club to its members to come up with a suitable title for a commemorative beer.Is Hull Tigers really that bad? Check these out And finally, if you think Hull Tigers is bad, check out these frankly awful team-names which TalkSport has kindly compiled. I don't know which is the worst. First up, we have FC Santa Claus AC, who are two Finnish sides from the region of Lapland, Rovaniemen Reipas and Rovaniemen Lappi, They decided to join forces and name themselves after the wonderful Saint Nick. They play in their country's third tier. Next, there is Semen Pedang, an unlucky Indonesian side in a case of lost in translation. The club is owned by a cement company of the same name and this year reached the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup before being knocked out by East Bengal. The Go Ahead Eagles from Deventer in Holland already play in the Eredivisie. Former Arsenal and Barcelona star Marc Overmars started and ended his career with the club and was also a director there until 2012.Dandy Town Hornets have a brown and gold kit reminiscent of City, and the Bermudan side have enjoyed success in the Cingular Wireless Premier Division recently. Bradford City striker Nahki Wells is an alumni. And last but not least, the King Faisal Babes. No, it's not a women's squad, but this Ghanaian team are bankrolled by Alhaji Karim Gruzah but could soon cease to exist after the Premier League's sponsors, Globacom, failed to pay their outstanding arrears. Hull Tigers doesn't seem so bad now, does it?

Hull City paper talk, December 3rd: Arsene Wenger, his views on the name-change, Bacary Sagna, James Chester, petition gathers pace, Tigers Pride and awful team-names

HULL FC have agreed to play Doncaster in a pre-season friendly after finally agreeing the formalities of their dual registration partnership. Hull will travel to face the Championship club at the Keepmoat Stadium on Sunday, January 12 with other friendlies set to be announced before the end of the week. As part of the deal, Hull FC will send squad members to play for the Dons, who are now coached by former Black and Whites play-maker Paul Cooke, a long time friend of new FC coach Lee Radford. Hull will also offer help and advice with off field administration if and when it is needed. Carl Hall, general manager of Doncaster, said: ""We are thoroughly delighted to be partnering up with Hull FC. As we are the closest Championship club to Hull, we feel that it is a good fit for both parties. We think this partnership will be a great benefit to both clubs and support us." Hull FC football manager Motu Tony added: "We are looking forward to working much closer with Doncaster over the coming months and forging a partnership that is mutually beneficial for both clubs."

Hull FC to visit Doncaster in pre-season clash after finalising dual-registration agreement

Plans to build one of the world's largest offshore wind farms for up to 600 turbines have been supported by East Riding Council. The Council's planning committee voted in favour of the development proposed by developers Forewind at Dogger Bank - 77 miles off the East Yorkshire Coast. Forewind claims the farm could generate enough electricity to power up to 1.8m homes. Energy Secretary Ed Davey will make a final decision on the scheme. In a report on the Dogger Bank scheme presented to committee members, Planning chief Alan Menzies recommended they should not object to the proposal. He said the project would provide "significant contributions to increased provision of renewable energy" and not have the visual impact of onshore schemes or those closer to coastlines. Forewind has held public meetings around East Yorkshire as part of the company's consultation for the scheme. It would connect into the national grid at an existing substation at Creyke Beck, near Cottingham. The world's largest operational offshore wind farm is currently the London Array, which opened in July and comprises 175 turbines.

Dogger Bank wind farm: Backing for one of world's largest turbines array off East Yorkshire Coast

A "fairytale" dress that once belonged to Princess Diana has sold for more than £100,000 at auction. The ornate gold and white gown, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, features sequins, crystals and pearl beads and was worn by Diana on several occasions, including the premiere of James Bond film The Living Daylights. It was sold by Kerry Taylor Auctions in London for £102,000, including buyer's premium, having been estimated to reach between £50,000 and £80,000. There was a huge amount of interest from the US but a museum based in another overseas country made the successful bid. Kerry Taylor said: "This is the 11th Princess Diana dress that I have sold this year, and I feel very lucky and privileged. It is a beautiful dress, worn by a beautiful woman, and deserved to do well." The auctioneer described the dress as having a "pretty, fairytale princess feel to it" and added that the dress's current owner "is pleased that the gown will be preserved for others to enjoy in years to come". It is not yet known where the gown's new home will be. Diana first saw the dress at a Red Cross benefit fashion show in summer 1986, and rather than having it specially commissioned from the designers, she was happy to take the standard size 10 dress from the show. She wore it at a banquet at the German ambassador's residence in London in July 1986, and to the Royal Opera House for a performance of Ivan The Terrible by the Bolshoi Ballet later the same month, as well as to the film premiere in Leicester Square the following year. The dress was part of the Emanuels' Diaghilev collection, which was inspired by Leon Bakst's geometric designs for Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. According to the auctioneer, Elizabeth Emanuel said that because of its lavish decoration and striking gold and white colours, the dress was something that people would either love or hate and she remembered that the Princess told her she ''loved it''. Her former husband David is currently on I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! on ITV. The Emanuels were a fashion favourite of the Princess and they made special ensembles and evening gowns for Diana's overseas tours with the Prince of Wales, as well as producing maternity wear for her.

Princess Diana 'fairytale dress' sold for £102.000 at auction

WHEN serious fitness fanatics start talking about the best places to pump iron, one name always leaps out.

Muscle Beach in California, once used by a young Arnold Schwarzenegger, is famous with gym-goers the world over – but following hard on its heels is an Orchard Park fitness centre.

The Green Heart Outdoor Gym in Shaw Park has been named number two in a list of the five best places to train outdoors.

The claim was made in a news story on the WAYN online travel network.

"It's fantastic – Hull is right at the forefront of technology and fitness," said Georgie Delaney, creative director of The Great Outdoor Gym Company (TGO), which built the fitness area.

"It just really shows the city is so forward-looking.

"It made me so happy to see it, because it's brilliant to have somebody totally independent saying this is the second-best outdoor gym in the world."

Installed last year as part of a fitness drive, the gym has since featured on American news network CNN.

It generates electricity from users' workouts for lighting at night, allowing them to carry on training in the dark.

This was trailblazing technology at the time of its creation and after using Hull as a pilot, TGO now has orders for almost 70 similar gyms across the world.

Even the academic world took an interest.

Ling Ge, a research scientist at Imperial College London, said: "It's a really beautiful concept and it uses existing technology in a novel way.

"I think it's an excellent way to educate people about the concept of sustainability and changing people's behaviour without putting the S-word in your face."

The gym was commissioned by Hull City Council as part of a series of outdoor training centres across the city.

It is supposed to make it easy for families to exercise together.

People of any age can use it for free and without fees for building upkeep, staff or electricity, running costs are low.

"The beauty of it is, people can go with their dogs and then use the machines," said leisure portfolio holder Terry Geraghty.

"People get chatting there and make friends. Football and rugby teams train there and children use it as well.

"When parents bring their children after school to go on the swings in the summertime, they can go on the gym."

The gym cost about £70,000 to set up but Cllr Geraghty said the exposure it had given Hull in the half-hour CNN show was priceless.

The gym's technological innovations have since been televised in Japan, discussed at national NHS conferences and even mentioned in the House of Commons.

"It's so unique. It's free, it's family-friendly and it's green," Ms Delaney said.

"It's just got that whole feel-good factor. It's very inclusive and you're actually doing something good for the environment.

"It's about getting fit but it's also about doing something good for the environment as well."

In summer last year, the gym – along with seven others outside in Hull – was used by more than 5,000 people.

It has been such a success more fitness suites are being installed in parks across the city.

"The gyms, which are free to use and readily accessible to people of all ages and abilities, break down the barriers to physical activity and also act as a gateway to improving health," said Mitch Upfold, the council's economic regeneration manager.

"The eco-wellness zone at Shaw Park in Hull is wholly unique.

"Having been designed to be powered entirely by human movement it is lit up at night at no cost, enabling people to exercise around the clock."

Visit www.tgogc.com to find out more.

Hull gym in Orchard Park is runner-up to USA's Muscle Beach in top five worldwide outdoor fitness centres

CHRISTMAS is a time for families to come together, but people bond in different ways.

It could be by exchanging gifts, it could be by laughing at horrendous cracker jokes or it could be by decorating the Christmas tree.

For the Mortons in west Hull, it is very much the latter. And then some.

Inside and out, their Goodrich Close home is a sight to see come the festive season, after more than a decade of constantly adding to their collection of decorations.

With three generations of the family living together, decking the halls with boughs of holly is something everyone gets stuck in with.

Steven Morton, 25, said: "Everyone gets involved and into the Christmas spirit."

It has become something they build up to each year, always on the look out for more baubles and bangles.

No one knows which member of the family gets most excited at pulling the decorations out from under the stairs.

From grandmother Edna, to Steven and his brother Will, through parents Audrey and Billy, it's a hobby that seems to run through their veins.

Mr Morton said: "When we were little we would always add more stuff to the house every year.

"Some of our lights wouldn't work and we would buy new ones, but we would just keep adding and adding.

"We always say we aren't going to buy anything new, but every year we do."

Edna Morton, 70, said: "Whenever we go into town, if I see something I like and I have the money, I just get it."

This year is no different and the new additions to the display are shaped frames for lights, including one depicting a shooting star.

No one dares hazard a guess at how much the collection is worth but, with almost every inch of the house, outside and in, covered with something shiny, it is safe to say it's a lot.

While no individual item is the family favourite, the centrepiece is definitely the fibre optic Christmas tree.

It is a big job, taking three weeks and more than 1,000 pins, to get all the decorations up, so the family always get started at the beginning of November.

"It's three weeks to put up and one day to take down," Mr Morton said.

"But it's worth the effort."

The house has become a neighbourhood favourite, with people counting down the days to the big switch on.

Mr Morton said: "We have people come round asking us when we are putting our lights up and, when we do, they come round with their kids to have a look."

Mrs Morton thinks more people should decorate their houses.

She said: "You would think people would, but they don't, they aren't into it like we are.

"It would make the area more cheerful if they did. When you look out of the window at night it looks a bit morbid."

Mr Morton thinks the house stands a good chance in the Mail's competition to find East Yorkshire's best festively decorated home.

He said: "When I read about the competition in the Mail last week, I knew I wanted to show off what our house is like."

Mrs Morton agrees: "My little grandson is about to turn seven and he loves how the house is decorated," she said.

"His eyes just light up when he sees it, he's always telling his friends."

Hull man Steve Morton and the amazing Christmas house that is home to three generations

The annual office Christmas party has become an important festive ritual, the chance for workers to let their hair down. However, the annual event has notorious pitfalls, from drunken rants at your boss to inappropriate romps with your workmates. Now, a new study by the Village Urban Resorts hotel in Hull has discovered almost 80 per cent of workers admit they're petrified their drunken antics will appear on social networking sites. Calum Russell, of Village Urban Resorts, said: "It is so easy these days to use a smartphone to record embarrassing incidents at a work Christmas party. "Combine this with Facebook or Twitter, and news of your festive faux pas can soon spread far wider than those who were at the event. "Once it goes online, evidence of your dodgy dancing or drunken antics will live on longer than gossip about you kissing the boss." The research, conducted last month, was targeted at a consumer group of 1,656 and found that almost half of party-goers choose to leave their partners at home – preferring not to mix their professional and personal lives. Despite Strictly Come Dancing fever gripping the nation, many dread venturing on to the dancefloor, with a third of those polled admitting to tripping up after throwing one too many shapes. Almost 50 per cent confessed that they failed to recall a lengthy drunken conversation the following day but, perhaps surprisingly, only one in five regretted kissing a co-worker in full view of colleagues – suggesting office romance is never far from their minds. Just a crafty 25 per cent reveal they have waited for their boss to leave before making a shifty exit but 50 per cent said they were happy to stay until the very last moment when the music stops and the lights come up. But what makes a great party in the first place? Unsurprisingly, 40 per cent revealed free alcohol is the sole contributing factor to a good office Christmas party, with only 14 per cent favouring music. Of those asked, 20 per cent agreed that coffee and painkillers are the most popular post-party hangover cure.

Hull Survey: 80% fear drunken or sexy behaviour at office Christmas Party will end up on social networking sites

For most brides, a wet wedding day is the ultimate disaster. But Janet Wright floated down the aisle happily drenched from head to toe. She married Chris, her partner of 20 years, at an underwater ceremony in the Maldives. The keen scuba divers got hitched in the Indian Ocean state surrounded by fellow holidaymakers and inquisitive fish. "It was totally amazing. They'd created a whole stage area with a swinging seat," said Janet, 58, whose maiden name was Janet Dulling. "There were curtains and flowers, there was an aisle to swim up and a big welcome sign. "It was absolutely incredible – I didn't expect as much as that." The couple, who were staying at Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa in Ari Atoll, had been on 26 dives before the ceremony but instructors steered them away from the stage while it was being set up. So, the wedding 12m underwater was a complete surprise, from its aisle edged with fish statues to the flowers drifting with the tide and the stage where their names were written in a heart. After being presented with rings carried by Thomas Taylor, son of the couple's friend Lisa, signs were held up asking if they would take each other in holy matrimony. Mark and Lisa each held up cards reading: "I do." "We thought it would be a brief ten-minute thing underwater but they had really done the works for us and everything was a complete surprise," said Chris, 63. "If you're into scuba diving, I would recommend getting married underwater. "It was just awesome and well worth doing." After the ceremony, staff working for Best Dives Maldives uncorked two oxygen tanks, sending clouds of bubbles to the ocean surface. The couple emerged into the tropical sunlight and toured the atoll on a catamaran with a "just married" sail before getting into flower-bedecked golf buggies and heading back to their room for champagne and cake. It was the island's first underwater marriage, Chris said. Because the Maldives is a Muslim country it is not possible to get officially married there, so Janet and Chris also held a ceremony with family at Cottingham Civic Hall near their home in the village. "We've been together for 20 years so we just thought maybe we should get married," said Chris, a chartered accountant. "We've been scuba diving for years and we thought, 'Why don't we get married out here? We don't want to make a big thing of it'. "You can't get married in the Maldives because it's a Muslim country but you can have a ceremony." The couple started diving more than a decade ago and love the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The water is full of life-supporting plankton and teeming with fish. "I've got some superb videos of whale sharks and manta rays – it's just absolutely amazing," Chris said. "There are always fish around out there. "You put your head underwater and you're in a different world."

VIDEO: Cottingham scuba-diving bride Janet Dulling 'marries' partner Chris Wright in underwater ceremony in Maldives

Land for a major flood defence scheme in west Hull will be acquired under compulsory purchase powers, if agreement cannot be reached with landowners. The £14.4m Willerby and Derringham Flood Alleviation Scheme (WaDFAS) will cut the risk for 8,000 homes and 300 businesses in the wake of the 2007 floods. The green light has been given for a compulsory purchase order to be drawn up for four sites in the Willerby area, where a series of lagoons are planned to increase flood storage capacity. East Riding Council's cabinet agreed to the move for areas of land at Rawdales Farm, Robson's Cottage, Albion Mills and Carr Lane. Nigel Leighton, director of environment and neighbourhood services, told councillors: "Back in 2007 we had significant flooding, with about 14,000 properties and businesses affected in the city and the East Riding. "Since then, we have been working very closely with Hull City Council to look at how we can develop ways to reduce flood events in the area overall. "The WaDFAS will reduce the risk for 8,000 properties and businesses in the Willerby and Derringham area." The Great Gutter Valley area drains the central part of Haltemprice and Willerby, where it is proposed to construct four lagoons. Mr Leighton said: "In extreme events, the watercourse can become overloaded and cause flooding within Willerby and the Derringham area of Hull, causing significant overland flows to discharge eastwards into Hull, rather than remaining within the channel and flowing south to the Humber. "The WaDFAS has been designed to address this issue." The four areas of land required for the lagoons cover more than 30,000 hectares in total – the equivalent of about 16 football pitches. Mr Leighton said: "Ideally, we would like to negotiate purchase through negotiation but failing that we would like to move forward with a compulsory purchase order to obtain the land for the scheme." The council aims to serve the compulsory purchase order next month. The cabinet was advised objections are expected from some landowners, which could see a public inquiry held next year before the scheme can go ahead. Planning permission was granted earlier this year for the scheme, which is earmarked for construction in 2015. Funding has been approved by the Environment Agency, with £6.6m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Mr Leighton said: "The current ERDF programme requires that construction be substantially completed by June 2015 in order that funds can be defrayed prior to the close of the programme. "As such, the project programme, in order to qualify for the ERDF funding, relies upon certainty of land acquisitions to be able to construct the works within this funding deadline."

Compulsory purchase order agreed for 'lagoons' to protect 8,000 west Hull homes from flood risk

UP to £1m of extra funding is likely to made available to repair some of Hull's most pothole-riddled roads. Hull City Council say one-in-five roads are in need of repair, but point the finger of blame squarely at central Government for a lack of funding. However, between £500,000 and £1m looks set to be earmarked for a winter repair programme, which could see residential streets, as well as heavily-used arterial routes, improved. Councillor Martin Mancey, the local authority's portfolio holder for roads, says he is "cautiously optimistic" the extra cash will be agreed by cabinet colleagues within a month following a spending review. He said: "Over the past couple of weeks I have been seeking the support of my cabinet colleagues and having discussions with council officers about identifying additional funding with the problem of potholes. "I am cautiously optimistic that this extra funding will be found." Cllr Mancey said the cash would be welcomed by the council's highways department. However, he warned motorists should not expect significant improvements in the state of Hull's road any time soon. "With a gap of about £4m a year between what we have to spend and what we need to spend, we can only go a small way to addressing the scale of the problem," said Cllr Mancey. "In an ideal world I would like £6m a year to spend on the city's roads, but in the current financial climate I cannot realistically expect anything of that order of magnitude. "Having said that, every little helps." Cllr Mancey said teams regularly inspect the road network and have identified those most in need of repair work. He said: "I would say 20 per cent of roads in Hull need some sort of maintenance. "From our perspective, we will have to prioritise the work, concentrating on main routes. "But we will also try to deal with needy residential roads too." Cllr Mancey said he believes the condition of main roads are "not too bad", because the highways department has focussed the majority of its £2m annual budget on these routes. He said: "We have had to focus our attention on the roads that carry the most traffic. "But the worry for me now is the condition of Hull's residential roads. These are the ones most in need of repair now." Cllr Mancey said he expects a decision regarding the additional funding to be announced by mid January at the latest. He said: "I would hope work could get started straightaway. "Clearly, though, a really hard winter would push work back, possibly to March or April. "Importantly, the additional funding is capital money – it's not revenue-funded money. "This means we will not have to spend the funds by the end of March." As previously reported in the Mail, the council has changed the way it deals with potholes. "Research suggests it is 20 times more expensive to repair individual potholes rather than repairing sections of road," said Cllr Mancey. "The emphasis is still on carrying out full-sized repairs in order to avoid a 'patchwork quilt', which is indicative of a surface that has worn out."

Potholes in Hull : Up to £1m in extra funding to repair 'one in five' roads

Hull FC should soon welcome two more familiar faces to their training ground in the shape of Former Hull KR prop Mickey Paea and full-back Shannon McDonnell. Paea, who was given three weeks off to recover from his involvement in the World Cup with Tonga, is scheduled to meet up with his new side on December 11. And he will be joined at Hull's Chanterlands Avenue base by Australian full-back Shannon McDonnell, who is also due back from an extended break in his homeland. Football manager Motu Tony said: "Mickey has had a good rest and he will be back at training in a week and a half. "Shannon is also due to return on the same date so we'll almost have our full squad back ahead of Christmas. "Obviously, we are working hard to bring Fetuli and Jordan in too, but having almost everyone back is another positive."

Hull FC stars Mickey Paea and Shannon McDonnell expected back at training next week

A FORMER charity worker has been jailed for growing more than £9,000 worth of cannabis in his bedroom. Simon Head, 46, was sentenced to two years in prison after police discovered two tents housing 36 plants in two bedrooms of his George Street house in Driffield. In another room, there was £485 worth of harvested cannabis in tubs, with three £20 deals ready to be sold. Head, who volunteered at Age UK for three years, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and possession of cannabis with intent to supply. Prosecutor Jhana Jobes said the amount of cannabis grown was worth £9,240 but the yearly yield could have been as much as £13,880. She said: "His involvement was a significant role." Head started volunteering at Age UK after being ordered to do so as part of a community order made by magistrates. He enjoyed it so much, he continued helping for three years and only stopped due to problems with insurance. He told police he was growing the cannabis for personal use and to pay for a new house with his pregnant girlfriend Theresa Griggs. Defending Head, now of Foston Lane, in North Frodingham, Nigel Clive said he was a "long-term smoker" who was forced to quit his job as a painter and decorator after hurting his foot in a fall. He has previous convictions for drug offences, including possession of ecstasy and amphetamines. Mr Clive said: "What does speak for his character is the fact he was sentenced by magistrates to complete unpaid work at Age UK and once that was completed he carried on working there for three years. "He would still be there now if there weren't problems with the insurance. "This is a man with too much time on his hands and not enough to fill it. "He finds his cannabis use expensive and so, like many others, he turned towards growing it." Ms Griggs, 41, also of Foston Lane, was cleared of a charge of the production of cannabis when the Crown offered no evidence. She kissed Head as she left the dock and took her place in the public gallery. Sentencing Head to two years in prison, Recorder Rachim Singh said: "It was not the most sophisticated of set ups and while there were 36 plants in total, it is not clear they would have all made it to fruition. "You have previous convictions, which are clearly indicative of someone who is a drug user and I expect at first blush this started off for your own need, then clearly morp- hed into something else. "This offending is so serious, only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate."

Former charity worker Simon Head jailed for growing £9,000 of cannabis plants in his Driffield home

Hull FC football manager Motu Tony says he is doing all he can to get the club's two new overseas signings into the country as quickly as possible. Although it is only three weeks since Hull announced the signing of Fetuli Talanoa and 14 days since the capture of half-back Jordan Rankin was confirmed, Tony is already embroiled in a sea of paperwork. Classed as a Tongan on the salary cap, Kiwi-born Talanoa's two-year deal had to be sanctioned by the RFL, with England star Sam Burgess helping Hull by providing a reference, having played together at South Sydney Rabbitohs. Whilst Tony is keen to obtain the necessary visa and work permits required to get Talanoa and Aussie star Rankin, 21, into the country quickly, his task has been made harder because of technical issues. "We have encountered a few problems because there have been issues with the UK Border Agency website not being fully operational," he told the Mail. "But it's the same for every other Super League club too, so we're all in the same boat. "Hopefully, that won't hold up the process too long. "But we are working as hard as we can to get both lads here as soon as possible."

Hull FC: Battle to get overseas stars Fetuli Talanoa and Jordan Rankin into UK

Hull City boss Steve Bruce says he will have no hesitation in recalling James Chester to his starting line-up at Arsenal tonight, despite the defender missing 10 weeks with a hamstring injury. Bruce will be forced into at least one change from the side that collected an outstanding 3-1 victory over Liverpool on Sunday, with Curtis Davies serving a one-match suspension for collecting a fifth yellow card of the season. The absence of City's influential defender will leave a void in the side for tonight's trip to the Emirates, but the Tigers boss will turn to a familiar face in a timely return. Chester was named as a substitute in the weekend win against Liverpool, making his first appearance in a matchday squad since badly damaging his hamstring in the 3-2 win at Newcastle on September 19. And although the 24-year-old is yet to feature in a comeback game since overcoming the injury, Bruce believes over a week of full training has Chester back up to full speed. "I'd have no hesitancy whatsoever," said Bruce, who had selected Chester for all but four games of his 51 league games as City boss before injury struck. "He's trained, he can't do any more. Ideally, I would like to give him more time to prepare mentally. "He's trained with us repeatedly for the best part of two weeks. We can't do any more to protect him. He's available for selection." Should Bruce stick with the same formation that started so effectively against Liverpool, Chester is expected to come into a three-man defence alongside Alex Bruce and Maynor Figueroa. Opportunity knocks with City missing Davies for the first time since his £2.25 move from Birmingham in the summer. Thirteen consecutive starts have installed the impressive Londoner as an early favourite in the race to be Player of the Season. Bruce added: "Curtis has been terrific. Of course, when people are playing at the top of their game, you're going to miss them but we've got a very good deputy in Chezzy, who was just starting to come to terms with the Premier League too. "He's itching to get started again. Another one like our Alex, desperate to do well in the Premier League." Another player who may soon get his chance is Matty Fryatt. The striker returned from a loan spell at Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday on Monday, where he impressed on the way to back to full fitness. "I've never really seen Matty Fryatt," said Bruce. "When I came in, he was injured, then he missed a year. He hardly played for me in the Championship last year. "We needed somewhere he could go and play games. On Monday, for the first time, I thought 'wow', he could have a part to play. "He comes straight into the squad and could be involved." As well as checking up on Fryatt, Bruce also spoke to Robbie Brady after his yellow card for diving against Liverpool on Sunday. "He won't dive again," said Bruce. "I don't want to make an issue of it. If you asked him what simulation was, he wouldn't know. But I did say 'you did make an idiot of yourself'."

Arsenal v Hull City: Steve Bruce recalls James Chester and Matty Fryatt to squad and warns Robbie Brady about 'diving'

Football writer Philip Buckingham talks to Alex Bruce who has had a baptism of fire in the Premier League with games against Spurs, Liverpool and now Arsenal

UPON learning he was to be recalled to the Hull City defence for the visit of Liverpool and Luis Suarez at the weekend Alex Bruce had an unconventional response to his father's good news.

"I said 'Jesus Christ, Tottenham away and now Liverpool at home, what's the next one going to be?'"

Well, Arsenal actually. Tonight. In front of 60,000 at the Emirates Stadium.

Bruce Jnr is enduring a baptism of fire on his Premier League return with the Tigers but, importantly, is yet to be outfoxed by illustrious opponents.

Just as Tottenham had relied on a dubious penalty to find a way past Bruce and his defensive team-mates at the end of October, Liverpool's only riposte in a 3-1 defeat on Sunday was a precise free-kick from England captain Steven Gerrard. The in-form Suarez, who had scored nine goals in his previous seven league games, was shackled and silenced in a manner few thought possible.

Now comes Arsenal and another deep breath. Olivier Giroud, Mesut Özil and Aaron Ramsey will be next to test City, but Bruce will be able to draw upon his weekend's heroics when facing the Premier League's star-studded leaders tonight.

"I'd like to think I did okay against Tottenham and then again versus Liverpool so it's just a case of trying to keep that level going," said Bruce.

"I'd have liked to have played a little bit more, of course, but I've also got to be honest and admit we've got some good defenders here.

"You've got to bide your time and just be ready for your chance. Thankfully, I feel as though I took it and hopefully I can continue that."

A third Premier League start of the season is a given at the Emirates in a three-man defence, flanked by James Chester and Maynor Figueroa, as the quest turns from forcing a way in to keeping others out.

"When you're in the Premier League you've got to hold your hands up and accept it's a squad game," added Bruce.

"There's going to be times in the season when individuals aren't on form or are injured, so you're never going to get through a season with 11 players. If you think that, you're naive.

"I'd like to have played every week, who wouldn't? But with the games coming up thick and fast now, you've to be honest and understand that you're not going to play an unchanged side every week.

"You've got to train hard, make sure you're all right and if you're selected, make sure you perform."

Bruce has earned his place in City's plans without the need for family loyalties. Although eyebrows were raised when signed by his famous father as a free agent 18 months ago, 32 Championship appearances helped earn him a place back in the division he had not seen since his formative days with Birmingham in 2006.

It could have been very different for the 29-year-old, though. When initially training with the Tigers ahead of last season, plans were in place to join LA Galaxy in the MLS before circumstances saw a door at the KC Stadium left open.

A reunion with his father brought the inevitable charges of nepotism and shelved ideas of regular jaunts to California, but Bruce Snr is delighted to see his son standing on his own two feet in the Premier League.

"He's had to put up with that all his life. He's had to deal with it since he was 11," explained the City boss.

"People said he was only in the school team because of who his dad is.

"It's always a difficulty. He's had to fight with it for all his young career.

"Alex has handled the situation very well. He's 29 now. The big goal is to play in the Premier League.

"Of course it's difficult, but he understood that the team played particularly well at the start of the season and he had to wait for his chance.

"I have to reward him now, like I have to reward everyone else.

"I don't think I can be dropping many people after Sunday. I can look to maybe rotate in a couple of areas but, defensively, we played very well."

Both Bruces will hope City can ride the wave at Arsenal this evening and build on the optimism whipped up during 90 memorable minutes against Liverpool.

Sunday's televised victory was the first time the Tigers had managed to topple one of the top flight's leading lights, as City returned to the form that inspired a breathless start to the campaign.

Bruce Jnr feels the warmth of the weekend and said: "It's a massive confidence booster to beat a team like Liverpool when you look at the players they've got, some of the best in the world.

"You couldn't say it wasn't a fair result, either. We deserved the win. We had a little bit of luck but overall I felt we dominated. That's got to be a boost.

"If you'd have told us 12 months ago that we'd be going to the Emirates on a Wednesday night, that's what we were all working towards.

"It's an occasion the supporters can go and enjoy, and after the weekend we've got a nice little cushion. Whatever we get down there would be a nice little bonus."

A handsome seven-point gap has opened up between City and the bottom three as they head to Arsenal from the comfort of 10th. The deflation that followed back-to-back defeats against Southampton and Crystal Palace is quickly a thing of the past.

"You've got to try and keep a level head," added Bruce. "Don't get too low when you lose and don't get carried away when you win.

"It's five wins from 13 games for us now. That's a good record for a promoted side but it's not enough.

"The Liverpool game has gone now, you can't dwell on it, you've got to move on to the next one."

Arsenal v Hull City: How Alex Bruce is learning to swim with the Premier League big boys

STEVE Bruce is confident his Hull City side can again thrive in their status as underdogs and land the scalp of Premier League leaders Arsenal tonight.

Four days after masterminding a stirring victory over high-flying Liverpool at the KC Stadium, Bruce leads the Tigers to the Emirates this evening for the second installment of a high-profile week.

Against an Arsenal side beaten just once in their last 12 games and four points clear at the summit of the table, City will begin as firm outsiders to topple Arsene Wenger's side.

But having already witnessed his troops scare Manchester City, Everton and Tottenham on their travels this term before going down to narrow defeats, Bruce wants City to play without trepidation.

"We knew from the start of the season we'd be underdogs. We were favourites in many peoples' eyes to go down and that's quite normal for any team coming up from the Championship," said Bruce.

"The one thing we've done is be consistent and played to a level that's given us a chance.

"That means we've got to play well week in and week out, which is always difficult because you can't afford many off days. We certainly can't have one at Arsenal.

"We'll have to be at our best but we've proved at Tottenham, Everton, Newcastle, Chelsea and Manchester City that we can make a fist of it. We've maybe not got the right result but that's the way we've got to approach it. Let's have a go and see what we can do."

Bruce's one nagging reservation is that tonight's trip comes so soon after the exertions that yielded a 3-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday.

Just two days of recuperation have been possible before making the journey to the capital and Bruce added: "I just hope we've recovered.

"Looking at the stats of what we ran against Liverpool, it was quite spectacular in terms of ground covered. I just hope we can go and put in another performance like we have done away from home.

"If we do, I know for a fact we'll give them a game. Whether we'll be good enough, that's always the question.

"To play back-to-back games against Liverpool and Arsenal for us is a big goal. That's not making excuses before we get there, I just hope we can because we've made a fist of it everywhere else."

City's mission could hardly be more challenging. Since losing 3-1 to Aston Villa on the opening weekend, Arsenal have responded by collecting 31 points from a possible 36.

The Gunners, sprinkled with the creative stardust of Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, will chase a sixth consecutive home win in the Premier League tonight.

Wenger, who lost 2-1 at home to Phil Brown's City in September 2008, has respect for his visitors. He said: "Hull have done very well and they have nothing to lose when they come to us.

"We have a warning from the Liverpool game. Hull are very dynamic going forward and on set-pieces they look strong as well."

Arsenal v Hull City: Steve Bruce happy to be underdogs

Hull KR are hoping the addition of strength conditioner Brice Johnson to their backroom staff can stop them suffering from a catalogue of injuries.

During his two seasons at Craven Park, coach Craig Sandercock has yet to field his strongest side because of injuries to key players.

But the Robins' board have increased the club's off-field budget to bring in the Australian in a bid to buck that trend.

Johnson, who will work alongside Billy Mallinson and Paul Hatton, has been tasked with the role of nurturing players who have recovered from injury back to full match fitness.

The 43-year-old former professional sprinter arrives in east Hull with an impressive CV of work back in his native homeland.

Having won the Australian Beach Sprint Relay title seven times, the keen surfer was inducted into the Life Saving Hall of Fame in 2011.

Last year, he was the performance director at Wyong Roos rugby league side after spending the previous two years at Sydney Roosters as their physical performance coach.

Having worked with each other before at Newcastle Knights, Johnson has been brought in by Sandercock to focus on getting players who are back to full fitness ready for the rigours of Super League.

Johnson's first job will be to make sure Travis Burns and Greg Eden are fit to start the season's opener against Leeds at Craven Park on Sunday, February 16.

Having signed a one-year deal with the Robins, he will accompany the squad on their warm-weather training camp to Tenerife just before Christmas.

It will be the third successive year Rovers have made the trip to the Canary Islands and they will be hoping Johnson is not in high demand as the new season draws ever closer.

Hull KR hope former Australian beach sprint champion Brice Johnson can help solve injury woes

LIVES are being put at risk by people running cannabis factories, firefighters have warned.

It comes after a man was rushed to Hull Royal Infirmary suffering from smoke inhalation following a blaze at a house in Ryde Street, off Beverley Road, yesterday morning.

It is believed cannabis was being grown in the property.

Just hours earlier, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service were called to a fire in Grimsby, where cannabis plants were also being grown.

Those cultivating the plants have been told they are putting the lives of their neighbours at risk, as well as their own.

A spokesperson from the fire service, said: "Growing cannabis is very dangerous, as are the associated fire risks with poorly maintained and misused equipment.

"Using high-energy heat lamps in these conditions is very hazardous and the overloading of electrical sockets poses a serious fire risk.

"These lamps can easily overheat and cause a fire that could smoulder for some time before being detected.

"Firefighters attended two fires of this nature in the Humberside area in the last 48 hours alone."

But the fact many of these factories are in residential areas is causing major concern.

The spokesman said: "The incidents of this nature that we have attended are often in a residential area, which puts neighbouring residents at risk if a fire breaks out.

"The people responsible for this may not consider the safety of their neighbours, so it is important all residents fit their home with working smoke detectors, as this will give vital time to escape should a fire break out."

Firefighters were called to the Ryde Street fire just after 8am yesterday.

Officers found a rear bedroom of a ground-floor flat was on fire.

A 48-year-old man suffering smoke inhalation was given oxygen before being taken to hospital by ambulance. A second man escaped unharmed.

The rear bedroom was badly damaged by smoke and there was also fire damage.

Investigators believe the fire was caused by an electrical fault relating to the cultivation of cannabis.

Smoke detectors were fitted and were activated at the property.

Station Officer Andy Smallwood said: "Firefighters went in and extinguished the fire swiftly."

"Cannabis plants were present and we liaised with police at the scene."

Humberside Police confirmed a man was arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation and was released on police bail.

The other fire involving cannabis growing happened in Rutland Street, Grimsby, on Monday.

It is believed the occupier had been growing cannabis in a front bedroom.

Humberside Police had previously said there had been an increase in DIY cannabis factories in residential homes, which they said could be due to the recession.

Just last month, notorious criminal brothers Darren "Bigga D" Wilson and Dean Armstrong were jailed at Hull Crown Court for a total of 20 years.

As well as conspiracy to murder, loan shark Wilson was convicted of money laundering, arson and the production of cannabis.

The court heard how he and Armstrong would make people grow cannabis in large homes across Hull, which were rented out by the letting agency Armstrong worked for.

They have both been convicted of arson after they got someone to petrol bomb cancer sufferer Donna Nagi's home in a bid to get her out, so they could use the home as a cannabis factory.

Lives at risk from cannabis farms 'next door' - warning after fire at west Hull home

Hull Stingrays have turned to former defenceman Pavel Gomenyuk to fill the hole left by captain Matt Suderman.

The 30-year-old Canadian quit the club at the weekend, citing fans' criticism and poor officiating as the prime factors in his decision.

With a crowded fixture list – starting with back-to-back games in Scotland against Fife and Edinburgh this weekend – Stingrays have plumped for Gomenyuk, who still lives locally.

The 35-year-old is well known to Hull fans, having spent five seasons at Stingrays in two long spells between 2003 and 2010.

Subsequently, he iced for English Premier League teams Manchester, Sheffield and Slough before finally hanging up his skates at the end of last season.

However, the Ukrainian has been lured back into the Elite League, initially as a guest, while Stingrays continue a now pressing search for reinforcements.

"Pasha has agreed to help us out this weekend in Scotland, as we're two imports down," said coach Sylvain Cloutier.

"With Matt going it's left us shorthanded on defence.

"He has played in Hull many times before so knows how we work and he's already living in the city. I believe he can do a decent job for us, he's done it in the past."

The Rapid Solicitors Stingrays now have two import slots to fill after Suderman followed Derek Campbell out of the exit door.

The latter was axed after picking up a 47-game ban for a fracas against Dundee in October.

Cloutier admits finding new recruits is now proving very problematic.

The time of year is not ideal and the situation is exacerbated by the fact Stingrays are operating on a very tight budget.

"I was hoping to have people in by the weekend, but there aren't many suitable guys out there," he added.

"There were players available a month ago, but not now, but that's how it goes."

However, he is still toying with the idea of bringing back another former Stingray with Elite League experience.

One player being touted by fans as a potential re-signing is ex-captain Kurtis Dulle, although the Mail understands that is an unlikely option at this time.

Hull Stingrays bring back veteran Pavel Gomenyuk after skipper Matt Suderman quits

ONE lane is closed along Holderness Road in Hull after an accident involving a car and a pedestrian.

The accident happened westbound between the Portobello Street junction and The Broadway junction along the A165, just before 5pm (Wednesday).

It is not yet known if the accident led to any injuries.