Hull City boss Phil Brown says they must keep hold of Stephen Hunt if they want to beat the drop this season.

The Republic of Ireland international has reportedly been the subject of renewed speculation involving Wolves but Hull have moved quickly to fend off any further interest in the player.

"I think goals first and foremost have made him special this season," said Brown. "But he is such a little character. He does things in the right way.

"He is a professional. What highlights Stephen Hunt for me is that he does things when nobody else is watching - professional things.

"He conducts himself in the right manner. When he crosses the white line, a full-back knows he will be up against it. He has got a tenacious attitude towards the game, not just towards wing play, but towards the game. For a little fella, he has got a big heart.

"Stephen has said himself that we are not a one-man team and I agree with that.

"You never are a one-man team, if you are, then you are in trouble. But where Stephen is concerned, he has been at the forefront of assists, the forefront of goals scored and at the forefront of everything we've done.

"We need five or six like that in the same side and before you know it, we have got a team."