Hull City vs Newcastle United team news: Nikica Jelavic and Abel Hernandez return for Tigers

Team news from the KC Stadium

Nikica Jelavic, on the stroke of half-time, then lifted the mood at the KC Stadium by tapping in the rebound from Tom Huddlestone's ambitious long-range effort. (Getty Images)

Hull manager Steve Bruce has been buoyed by the return of strikers Nikica Jelavic and Abel Hernandez to his starting line up.

The Tigers also hand Gaston Ramirez and Andrew Robertson places in the side ahead of the visit of John Carver's Newcastle United.

However Alex Bruce and James Chester are out with thigh and shoulder injuries respectively.

Newcastle, on the other hand, were hoping to have Papiss Cisse back after Senegal were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations but this afternoon's clash sees him put on the bench.

Gabriel Obertan, Davide Santon and Mehdi Abeid all return from injury, also on the bench, while Carver starts Tim Krul in goal.

Hull City: McGregor, Elmohamady, Dawson, Davies, Robertson, Ramirez, Livermore, Huddlestone, Meyler, Hernandez, Jelavic.

Newcastle: Krul; Janmaat, Williamson, Coloccini, Haidara; Sissoko, Anita, Colback; Cabella, Perez, Ameobi.