What's next for Hull City's promotion stars? Philip Buckingham assesses the performances of Steve Bruce's players and asks what the future holds for each of them.Update: Hull City announce retained list: Rosenior to stay, Simpson to go(Ratings judged on over impact over the season.)Sone Aluko2012-13 apps: 22 (2); Goals: 8
Season summary: Quite magnificent in the opening half of the season but frustratingly inactive throughout 2013. The Tigers were at their very best when Aluko ticked and although it was eventually diluted, his impact on the campaign was huge. Clever, tricky and quick, he offered plenty to an attack that suffered in his absence. Five goals in five games in Autumn made him the talk of the Championship.What next? The Achilles injury that curtailed his season will be the biggest obstacle to him making an impact in the top-flight but all the qualities are there for him to be a leading light for the Tigers again next year.Rating: 7.5Ben Amos2012-13 apps: 19; Goals: 0
Season summary: For much of his loan spell he appeared to be the answer to City's goalkeeping problems, but an untimely wobble soon saw him out of the side and back with parent club Manchester United. Played every minute of the season up to late November and chipped in with four clean-sheets.What next? Headed back to Old Trafford midway in January and will now target another loan spell in 2013-14. A lack of action in the second half of the season has also cost him a place in the England under-21s squad this summer.Rating: 5George Boyd2012-13 apps: 12 (1); Goals: 4
Season summary: The final piece in City's promotion-winning jigsaw arrived in late February to play a key role in hauling City over the line. Twelve consecutive starts showed his value to Steve Bruce and, though he faded, his guile was decisive in several narrow contests. A sweet winning strike at Huddersfield, a contender for goal of the season, was a brilliant demonstration of his ability.What next? A two-year deal is in place for Boyd to sign on a free transfer in July, a move that will complete his journey from non-league to the top-flight. Exciting times lie ahead and he will back his high skill levels to serve him well.Rating: 6.5Robbie Brady2012-13 apps: 29 (4); Goals: 4
Season summary: Having blown hot and cold during his initial loan spell with City, his return in November was met with minimal fanfare. Six months on, though, it is hard to imagine life without the Irishman. The boy has become a man in 2012-13 and no player weighed in with more than his 13 assists. The left wing-back role brought out the best in him but versatility was also shown further forward.What next? A £2m move from Manchester United in January already looks like a fine piece of business for City. And should he continue his development at the highest level, the Tigers' greatest challenge may be fending off interest in the rookie.Rating: 8Alex Bruce2012-13 apps: 32 (5); Goals: 0
Season summary: There was no shortage of detractors questioning Steve Bruce's wisdom when signing his son on a free transfer last summer but those voices fell quiet long ago. Barely put a foot wrong when deployed in a three-man defence to justify his regular inclusion, and also slotted in commendably when handed the holding midfield berth. A versatile man for all occasions this term.What next? A question mark hangs over his suitability to make the step up at 28 but it won't be the lack of endeavour. A strong work-ethic will ensure he sticks around for the ride.Rating: 7Tom Cairney2012-13 apps: 4 (10); Goals: 1
Season summary: Remarkable to think that Cairney did not make a single Championship start this season. That was partly due to a serious knee injury suffered in August but even when fit he could not force his way into a competitive midfield. A FA Cup winner at Leyton Orient was the only highlight.What next? The Premier League might be his stage to flourish like he did in 2010 but picturing him in Bruce's plans after this such a season of inactivity is difficult.Rating: 3James Chester2012-13 apps: 47 (1); Goals: 1
Season summary: The greatest compliment paid to Chester is that you barely notice he is there anymore. Elegant, composed and adroit, he has cruised through the season with minimal fuss. Although others grabbed the individual plaudits, the development of Chester showed little sign of relenting. He has outgrown the Championship and needs a new challenge.What next? City have come to take the defender for granted but a new deal must be completed before the start of next term. The vultures will soon smell blood with 12 months remaining.Rating: 8Mark Cullen2012-13 apps: 0 (1); Goals: 0
Season summary: Sandwiched in between loan spells with Bury and Stockport came a one-minute substitute appearance against Leyton Orient. That was where his City career ended.What next? Free to find another club, the one-time Premier League goalscorer will have to start at the bottom and work his way up.Rating: N/AAndy Dawson2012-13 apps: 6 (1); Goals: 0
Season summary: A testimonial season at the KC Stadium did not go to plan and just three league starts came his way during a year on the periphery. City's revolution had no place for the most faithful servant.What next? A 10th and final season with the Tigers brought a fitting conclusion but a free transfer to Scunthorpe United is now on the cards to end his association with City.Rating: 3Joe Dudgeon2012-13 apps: 11; Goals: 0
Season summary: A season of what might have been for the youngster. An ever-present through the opening 11 games of the campaign, Dudgeon was grabbing his big break with both hands at left wing-back. Then came a season-ending knee injury and six months of aching frustration. Steve Bruce will not forget the youngster in his future plans, though.What next? One year remains on his current City deal and the focus must be on recapturing full fitness before the start of the new term. A big ask to force his way back in, but not beyond him.Rating: 5.5Ahmed Elmohamady2012-13 apps: 41; Goals: 3
Season summary: Few could have predicted the impact he would have on City's season when arriving on loan from Sunderland in August, but the Egyptian was a wonderful addition for Steve Bruce. Although form tailed off in the final month, his consistency at right wing-back was remarkable. Championship defences will be relieved to see the back of his breath-taking crossing ability.What next? His loan from Sunderland is up but City will do everything in their power to see him back next season. A fee of £1.5m should be enough for the Player of the Season's permanent return.Rating: 8.5Corry Evans2012-13 apps: 25 (9); Goals: 1
Season summary: A term of peaks and troughs for the Northern Ireland international. At his best, most notably Ipswich away, he reigned supreme in the City midfield, but too often he struggled to convince Steve Bruce of his midfield influence. A very dependable asset nonetheless and a fulcrum for the Tigers' passing game when in full flow.What next? One more year remains on his City deal and he falls into the category of players with something to prove in the Premier League. Deserves his chance and his technique will not be found out.Rating: 7Ahmed Fathi2012-13 apps: 1 (6); Goals: 0
Season summary: The final member of City's Egyptian trio and the least heralded after struggling to pin down a place. Steve Bruce was sympathetic to Fathi's plight and when he was given his one start, a bright game was overshadowed by a mistake that gifted Wolves a goal. A four-month loan never got out of first gear.What next? Al Ahly expect to welcome him back into their fold and unless City have somehow seen enough to suggest he can cut it in the top-flight, this is where his adventure will end.Rating: 3Abdoulaye Faye2012-13 apps: 30 (3); Goals: 4
Season summary: A towering influence in the City defence whenever called upon and none more than in the final weeks of the season as he emerged as a clear fans' favourite. Formidable in the challenge, both on the ground and in the air, few opponents will have enjoyed crossing his path. A valuable source of goals, too, as he threatened regularly at set-pieces.What next? A new one-year deal has been triggered to grant Faye a Premier League swan-song next season and his experience will be essential in a squad short of the top-flight know-how.Rating: 7.5Matty Fryatt2012-13 apps: 2 (3); Goals: 0
Season summary: The season was a write-off due to a terrible Achilles injury. Impossible not to sympathise with the stricken striker when City were at their creative best and a clean bill of health could well have seen him making hay in the attacking sunshine. A late return to the fold revealed obvious flaws in his fitness.What next? If anyone deserves a clean bill of health next season it is Fryatt. One year remains on his City deal and he must grab every chance he is given in the top-flight.Rating: 3Gedo2012-13 apps: 10 (2); Goals: 5
Season summary: An unknown quantity when signed from Al-Ahly on the final day of January but five goals in his first five appearances had announced his talents loud and clear by the end of March. A natural born predator and his goals against Derby, Charlton and Blackburn inside a week were vital in restoring City's impetus. Faded once injury took hold in April.What next? A four-month lay-off from foot surgery has not helped his case for a permanent switch to the KC Stadium and City may reluctantly have to look elsewhere for instant Premier League answers.Rating: 6.5Jack Hobbs2012-13 apps: 20 (2); Goals: 0
Season summary: Although robbed of the opening four months of the season following knee surgery last April, Hobbs finished the campaign knowing he had played a telling role in City's promotion. The no-nonsense defender rarely grabbed the headlines but helped form an outstanding pool of defensive options for Steve Bruce. A man to call upon in the trenches.What next? Enjoyed the briefest of introductions to the Premier League as a youngster and now must show he belongs there. One more year left on his deal and needs to show his best to extend his stay long-term.Rating: 7Eldin Jakupovic2012-13 apps: 8; Goals: 0
Season summary: Signed on the same day as Ben Amos last summer but had to bide his time for a chance. Promise was shown in the final weeks of 2012 but a catastrophic display against Sheffield Wednesday could well prove to be his final league appearance for the Tigers.What next? Another year remains on a two-year deal but it is hard to see any way back into the first-team picture. Steve Bruce is hunting new goalkeeping options and would not stand in Jakupovic's way.Rating: 3.5Robert Koren2012-13 apps: 39 (3); Goals: 9
Season summary: The Tigers' enigma can reflect on another season that ebbed and flowed. Nine goals, a figure to top the scoring charts, showed his huge value from midfield, but the consistency he showed during 2011-12 was not quite there under Steve Bruce. Even with his big contributions, he found himself dropped for the first time in his City career.What next? A new deal signed last summer gives him long-term security and promises him a chance to stamp his mark back on the top-flight. No shortage of attacking guile but may face a fight for his shirt.Rating: 7.5Paul McKenna2012-13 apps: 8 (4); Goals: 0
Season summary: The tone for his City future was perhaps set when sent off for a petulant kick in the League Cup demise at Doncaster. The veteran battled back to reclaim a place in October, but a loan move to Fleetwood Town in January signalled the end of his Tigers' career there and then.What next? One of the many out-of-contract players and, at 35, he will be keen to gain a permanent deal close to his Lancashire roots for the final years of his career.Rating: 3Aaron Mclean2012-13 apps: 4 (12); Goals: 3
Season summary: For whatever reason, the striker's face did not fit under Steve Bruce. Despite scoring goals against Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield Wednesday, the chance to send Mclean out on loan to Ipswich was readily accepted in January. That, sadly for him, never quite worked out.What next? Although a final year remains on his deal, both Bruce and Mclean have accepted that a fresh start could suit all parties this summer. The Premier League may be out of reach.Rating: 3.5Paul McShane2012-13 apps: 23 (5); Goals: 2
Season summary: The most uplifting individual story of City's season, bar none. After two years in the wilderness, a spell where he considered retirement, McShane has bounced back to new heights at the KC Stadium. Lauded for his unwavering commitment, his improved maturity has also helped rub out the mistakes once synonymous with his game.What next? The promise of a new deal means he will be around for at least one more season and few more deserving of their moment back in the big time.Rating: 8David Meyler2012-13 apps: 26 (4); Goals: 5
Season summary: Steve Bruce affectionally called the midfielder's game "scruffy" but would not have swapped him for another in the Championship when at his combative best. Signed initially on loan from Sunderland and then in a £1.5m deal, Meyler has been a huge addition for the Tigers. Only when he arrived did the midfield jigsaw really look complete.What next? The Irishman is no stranger to the top-flight and his move to City has been fully vindicated with an instant return. Room to grow at 23 and will seize his chance with his typical vigour.Rating: 7.5Seyi Olofinjana2012-13 apps: 12 (4); Goals: 0
Season summary: There was a purple patch in September and October when City's midfield was built around Olofinjana but it was another false dawn. The defeat to Burnley in late November proved to be his final start in the Championship before he was sent out on loan to Sheffield Wednesday in March.What next? A largely disastrous four-year stint in East Yorkshire is at its end and pastures new beckon. His time with the Tigers came close to costing £10m in fees and wages.Rating: 3.5Mark Oxley2012-13 apps: 0 (1); Goals: 0
Season summary: Five years after joining the Tigers from Rotherham, a first appearance finally came as a substitute for the stricken Eldin Jakupovic in defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.What next? Oxley will be retained but, at 22, the keeper desperately needs regular football now.Rating: N/ANick Proschwitz2012-13 apps: 9 (22); Goals: 5
Season summary: There was no shortage of success stories with the Tigers in 2012-13 but no amount of sugar-coating can paint Proschwitz's debut season in a glowing light. Signed for £2.6m last summer, his nine starts were a reflection of his disappointing first year. Even when vital goals came against Ipswich and Cardiff at the KC, it fell well short of expectations.What next? Hard to know. A seven-figure sum from the continent would see the Tigers tempted to cut their losses this summer but he may prefer the Premier League chance.Rating: 5Stephen Quinn2012-13 apps: 41 (3); Goals: 3
Season summary: The flame-haired midfielder proved to be a steal from Sheffield United and has quickly established himself as a vital member in City's plans. Only Ahmed Elmohamady and James Chester played more in the Championship. A sharp passing range and intelligence in possession were a joy to behold and also worked tirelessly off the ball all season.What next? Six years after his last Premier League appearance Quinn will want to show the top-flight how far he has come. Steve Bruce will have no hesitation giving Quinn that chance.Rating: 8Liam Rosenior2012-13 apps: 19 (17); Goals: 0
Season summary: Something of a fall from grace after two years as a near ever-present, but Rosenior's value to the squad should not be underplayed. Deployed as both a left and right wing-back during the season, he provided fine cover for the likes of Joe Dudgeon, Robbie Brady and Ahmed Elmohamady. Unfortunate not to have played more but a big voice in the City dressing room.What next? His versatility and experience mean Rosenior will be sticking around. Well-liked by Steve Bruce and no stranger to the top-flight.Rating: 6.5Jay Simpson2012-13 apps: 30 (17); Goals: 7
Season summary: A season that promised to announce his rebirth after a blistering start, finished with him scoring just once in his last 31 games. To judge Simpson solely on those statistics would be unfair, though. Ask any of his strike partners of his strengths and you find no shortage of grateful team-mates. Nine assists underlined his significant contributions.What next? The way his goalscoring touch deserted him from November onwards spelled the end of his time at the KC. City need regular goals and have decided Simpson is not the man to provide them.Rating: 6.5Cameron Stewart2012-13 apps: 4 (3); Goals: 0
Season summary: Plenty hoped we would see Stewart back to his best in City colours when starting the first two games of the season, but prospects of that quickly fizzled out. Loan spells with Burnley and Blackburn both fell flat and he will have ended the term with plenty of regrets.What next? Will surely look to move on this summer, if only in search of a fresh challenge. Nothing has gone his way at the KC Stadium in the last 18 months and the time is right to move on.Rating: 3David Stockdale2012-13 apps: 24; Goals: 0
Season summary: A loan signing in November and again in January, the goalkeeper ended the season as City's undoubted number one. Nine clean-sheets in 24 starts is a return to treasure and showed his steadying influence on a defence that wobbled with Ben Amos and Eldin Jakupovic in goal. He can return to Fulham knowing he has played his part in City history.What next? A return to parent club Fulham has followed the end of the season and he must wait to learn his next move. That will not be back to East Yorkshire if a £3m asking price is not lowered.Rating: 6Dougie Wilson2012-13 apps: 0 (1); Goals: 0
Season summary: A first-team debut came in the FA Cup third round against Leyton Orient and that gave him a taster of what the youth-team product is chasing.What next? As a regular in Stephen Clemence's reserve side, he must find a way of making the step up into the senior ranks.Rating: N/A
