Hull City paper talk: Hatem Ben Arfa denies Steve Bruce 'rift' on Instagram, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho warns Diego Costa ahead of Tigers clash

Our daily blog with the latest news, transfer rumours and gossip about Hull City in the Premier League.

HDM Sport on Facebook PREPARATION for this weekend's draw with West Brom was hampered somewhat with the news of a 'row' had broken out in the Hull City camp between Steve Bruce and Newcastle loanee Hatem Ben Arfa . Newspaper reports suggested that the City boss had lost patience with the Frenchman and was willing to cut his season-long loan short and ship him back to the North East in January . However, Bruce spoke about the attacker after the disappointing draw on Saturday and while he urged Ben Arfa to show more, he insisted he was not finished at City just yet. And the former Marseille man took to Instagram last night to clarify the situation further. Adding a picture of himself and writing in French, Ben Arfa said: "I just wanted to clarify my situation. I don't have any problem with my manager. He is someone that I like a lot and who I respect and admire!!"

Bonjour à tous!! Je voulais juste clarifier ma situation, je n'ai aucun problème avec mon entraineur. C'est quelqu'un que j'aime beaucoup que je respecte et que j'admire!! J'ai vu que Jean MIchel Larqué m'est encore rentré dedans sans connaitre la vérité!!! Il n'y a aucun problème et je ne t en veux pas!! Si tu veux rentrer en contact pour que l'on en parle il n'y a aucun soucis prend soin de toi mon ami. ??

A photo posted by Hatem Ben Arfa New (@hatembenarfaofficiel) on Dec 12, 2014 at 6:59am PST

Steve Bruce praises Allan McGregor's heroics EVERYONE involved with the Tigers will have been disappointed with the result at the weekend, but in truth, everyone will be aware it could have been a whole lot worse. Steve Bruce certainly acknowledged this and he heaped praise on goalkeeper Allan McGregor after City's number 1 saved fellow countryman Graham Dorrans' penalty to keep the Tigers on level terms. Speaking about his shot-stopper to the Daily Mail after the game, Bruce said: "He (Allan) won us a point. "He got injured badly at West Ham. Perhaps it wasn't life-threatening but it was one of those awful ones. He could have lost a kidney and it might have ended his career. "We had to be patient with him and he's worked extremely hard. The save from the free-kick was the save of the season as far as I'm concerned."Jose Mourinho warns Diego Costa ahead of Champions League and City clashes LIFE in the Premier League drop-zone doesn't get any easier for the Tigers, as they head to London next weekend to take on league leaders Chelsea. The Blues lost their unbeaten record at the weekend when they went down 2-1 at St James' Park to Newcastle , but Bruce and company will be wary of facing a wounded animal when they head to Stamford Bridge. One player who may be hurting more than most is Diego Costa. The Spanish international failed to exhibit any of the qualities that have led him to be revered as one of the league's most lethal strikers as his side lost on Tyneside, and boss Jose Mourinho has challenged the forward to get fitter after an ineffective display. "For me, the problem is not the goals – they will come as a consequence of his condition," said the Chelsea boss after the defeat. "He has to improve his condition. He was injured and had many doubts because he went a long time without training. "Obviously that must have an effect on a player in the way he runs, the way he moves and in his co-ordination. "I don't think there is any problem, but he has to recover."Former Tigers midfielder Nolberto Solano desperate for managerial role FORMER Hull City midfielder Nolberto Solano is desperate for the chance to manage in English or Scottish football. The Peruvian followed Nigel Pearson from Leicester City to Hull in 2010 and had expressed an interest in taking on a coaching role during his time at the KC Stadium, before moving on to Hartlepool United. The former Newcastle United midfielder has received offers to coach and manage elsewhere around the globe, but the 39-year-old insists he wants to be tested in the UK, with jobs at both Motherwell and Hartlepool vacant at the moment. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Solano said: "I've been coaching in Peru, coaching in Canada, so now I'm just trying to come back into the UK, looking for a chance, looking for an opportunity. "That's my plan. It's not easy. Scotland, Premier League, League One, League Two, it's still really tough for managers because it's not an easy job, but it's a challenge. My passion is football, always football. I cannot live without football. "I'm definitely staying here (in the UK). But it's important you never know what happens. "Maybe I get a call again tomorrow, then another day to manage or coach in Peru, or anywhere in Europe or somewhere like that. "My main place is here. It would be nice if anything came from Scotland or England." City in the hat for FA Cup third round draw THE draw for the third round of the FA Cup takes place at The Deep in Hull this evening, with Steve Bruce's side entering the draw at this stage. After the incredible journey of last season, City fans will see no reason why their club can't embark on another memorable cup run.The Tigers are ball No 19 for the draw , which takes place at 7pm this evening. Arsenal, Hull's conquerors in last season's final, are ball No 2, while beaten semi-finalists Sheffield United are No 60.Leeds United are ball No 21, while non-league underdogs Blyth Spartans and Dover Athletic are 52 and 61 respectively.