YANNICK Sagbo has been challenged to push his claims to lead Hull City's Premier League attack when he makes his debut against Dynamo Dresden this afternoon.
After a wait for international clearance delayed the first appearance of City's £1.6m signing at Birmingham and Peterborough, manager Steve Bruce will get the chance to unleash Sagbo at the Glucksgas Stadium today.
A full week of training has enabled the former Evian striker to settle in and Bruce is hopeful those bright first impressions are witnessed during the Tigers' mini tour of Germany.
"I'm delighted we've got him and I've seen it straight away in training that he gives us something different," said Bruce.
"I hope he can adapt to the team quickly as he's got all the attributes. The next fortnight will be a good chance for him to get up to speed. It would be great to see him hit the ground running and playing in the games here will give him that chance."
Sagbo is expected to be joined by ex-Evian team-mate Eric Tie Bi for a short trial during City's stay in Germany but the 23-year-old midfielder will not be considered to play any part in today's game, with Bruce content to pass judgement in training for now.
Veteran defender Abdoulaye Faye has not travelled with the Tigers as he recovers from a calf strain at home, but Bruce has an otherwise fully-fit squad to select from.
City's third to last friendly promises to be a stiff test of their endurance.
Temperatures in Dresden hit a stifling 38 degrees upon their arrival yesterday and similar heat is expected to take a heavy toll in this afternoon's friendly.
Dynamo Dresden, who finished 16th in the German second tier last season, will look to take the scalp of City and Bruce, whose side also face Bundesliga outfit Eintract Braunschwieg on Tuesday, said: "These will be huge tests. Not just because who we're up against but because their league has already started and they'll be a month ahead of where we are.
"By the looks of it, it's going to be 38 degrees or something like that. It will be physically demanding but a proper test. I've purposely made pre-season difficult because I know how difficult it's going to be in the Premier League.
"It would have been easy to pick a team we could roll over but I want the players to be tested. Any time you play two games over here, you know you're in for a game."
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