Hull City assistant boss Brian Horton is key in their pursuit of Tottenham defender Anthony Gardner.

The Hull Daily Mail says central in City's chase has been Horton - the man who sold Gardner for £1m to Spurs when in charge at Port Vale in 2000.

But having signed a three-year deal in June 2006, the transfer fee to smooth the move remains unclear.

With Michael Turner and Wayne Brown the only recognised senior centre-halves, Gardner's arrival would bring much-needed depth to City's options.