Our daily blog with the latest news, transfer rumours and gossip about Hull City in the Premier League.Like HDM Sport on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.Hatem Ben Arfa says he is ready to show Hull City fans what he is capable of after proving his fitness in training.
The 27-year-old – who joined the Tigers on a deadline-day loan deal from Newcastle – has yet to make a league start since joining, but could be in line to face Arsenal at the weekend.
Speaking to The Mirror, Ben Arfa said: "My fitness levels have improved an awful lot since I first arrived at this club.
"They have got better with each training session. I have worked specifically on sessions to improve my fitness.
"That has worked and I'm now at a level where I want to be so that I can make an impact on the team. I am ready to show how I can play."
The French winger's slump in fitness coincided with a difficult spell at St James' Park, where he was banished to train with reserves after falling out with Newcastle boss Alan Pardew.
And Ben Arfa admits that Tigers boss Steve Bruce has got him enjoying his football once more.
"I am back training with fellow professionals every single day, which makes me happy. I feel as though I've been given a new lease of life under Steve Bruce and the coaching staff here.
"It's important for any player, at every level of the game, that his manager wants him. Steve Bruce wants me and that makes me happy."
Ben Arfa scored on his only appearance at the Emirates in his career, when he opened proceedings in Newcastle's 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in 2012.Meyler and Quinn have night to remember in Internationals
City pair David Meyler and Stephen Quinn both had a night to remember in Germany as the Republic of Ireland held world champions Germany to a 1-1 draw in their Euro 2016 qualifier.
Meyler and Quinn both started for Martin O'Neill's team at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, where a dramatic stoppage-time John O'Shea strike secured an unlikely point after Toni Kroos had given the hosts the lead. Robbie Brady was an unused substitute on the night.
Elsewhere, Andy Robertson dropped to the bench as Scotland were held 2-2 in Poland, while Tom Ince appeared for the final moments for the England U21s as they secured a place in the 2015 UEFA European U21 Championships.
Gareth Southgate's side pulled off an impressive 2-1 victory in Croatia to win 4-2 on aggregate, booking their place in the Czech Republic next summer.
Across the pond, there was a goal-scoring return to international duty for Maynor Figueroa as Honduras drew 1-1 with the USA.
Figueroa headed home late into the game to pull his side level, after Sunderland's Jozy Altidore, a one-time Tigers player, had given the Americans the lead at half-time.![Get Adobe Flash player]()
Quinn remains a target for Bolton
Staying with Stephen Quinn, and he's emerged as a target for newly appointed Bolton boss Neil Lennon.
In an attempt to rescue a nightmare start to the season which sees the Trotters planked firmly at the bottom of the championship and 5 points adrift of safety, The Sun say the former Celtic boss looks to the Premier League to strengthen his side.
Despite being reluctant to let Quinny leave, Steve Bruce may have to as the 28 year old attempts to cement his place in the Republic of Ireland side. New boss Lennon wants to loan the Irishman in before making him a permanent addition to the squad when the transfer window re-opens in January. Aluko: Nigeria are hurt and disappointedSone Aluko says his Nigerian side are 'hurt and disappointed' as the team currently sit bottom of their African Cup of Nations group.
The City forward spoke to local press after the Super Eagles' disastrous 1-0 defeat to Sudan on Saturday.
The current African champions are in danger of missing out on the chance to defend their title next year but have the chance to make amends later today when they host the side that beat them at the weekend.
Speaking to Nigerian sports publication SL10.ng, Aluko said: "We feel hurt, everybody feels bad and we're disappointed with the way things have turned out for us.
"It has been a very difficult time for the players and I'm sure nobody expected things to turn out this way because when we left our clubs for Nigeria, there was so much optimism and we thought things would go well, but unfortunately they haven't, and we feel bad.
World Cup finalists Nigeria, who beat Burkina Faso in the 2013 African Cup of Nations Final, are currently bottom of qualifying Group A, but Aluko still believes his side have the quality to progress.
"I think we still have a chance and all have to do is beat Sudan on Wednesday and then we focus on South Africa and Congo," Aluko continued.
"We have a chance but we must win against Sudan here in Abuja to stand any chance.
"All of the players want to be in Morocco next year so there is no reason why we shouldn't be confident of our chances and I strongly believe that we will be there.
