SONE Aluko has praised the impact of new strike partner Yannick Sagbo after Hull City's new £1.6m signing wasted little time making his mark.
Sagbo needed just 14 minutes to open his account for the Tigers, scoring the only goal in an impressive 1-0 victory over Dynamo Dresden on Saturday.
The highlight of the friendly contest saw Aluko's crisp pass converted with aplomb by Sagbo as Steve Bruce's men began their mini-tour of Germany in style.
And speaking afterwards, Aluko said he was delighted to find an immediate understanding with his new team-mate.
"I was very impressed with him. He's looked lively, strong and intelligent," Aluko told the Mail.
"He made very good runs and took his goal very well.
"I fizzed the ball into him, to be fair, but he took it well. He should be happy with his performance.
"We still need to learn a lot about him. We'll let him be free and play his game but his movement and his touch was very good. For his first week he's done well."
City's second consecutive friendly win was comfortably their most polished performance of pre-season.
A tactical shift pushed Robbie Brady and Aluko up in support of Sagbo and City responded with a controlled display at the Glucksgas Stadion.
Aluko's efforts were another notable cause for optimism. Featuring in his sixth consecutive friendly game, the Nigerian international continued to show no sign of the Achilles injury that plagued his first season at the KC Stadium.
An assist for Sagbo's goal was a beautiful pass before he was spared the searing temperatures in Saxony when replaced at the break.
"It's coming along. It's a work in progress," explained Aluko.
"Some days you feel good, some days you feel pretty terrible. That's part and parcel of coming back from a long injury, you have just got to manage it and get through it.
"It's tough because when things don't feel good it's very frustrating.
"I was in pretty much all summer so I knew I would be okay physically, it's just getting confidence in the sprints, changing directions, things like that. Game by game, it's getting better."
Aluko's fast-improving fitness will soon lead to talks over a new contract.
Bruce last month promised that his attacking star will be offered a fresh long-term deal and those negotiations could begin as soon as this week when City return from Germany.
However, Aluko, whose current deal is set to expire next summer, insists it is an issue that can wait as he places his sole focus on reaching full fitness.
He added: "There's not a lot to say to be honest.
"It's the least of my concerns right now, I'm just looking at getting fit and playing, that's what I'm worrying about.
"The other things take care of themselves.
"I'm sure the manager has got other things to worry about with getting new players so there's nothing much to say."
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