Hull City boss Phil Brown is sending his gutted Irish players to see a sports shrink.

Brown is concerned about the mental state of Paul McShane, Stephen Hunt and Kevin Kilbane for the must-win visit of Gianfranco Zola's West Ham United. All three were involved in the Republic of Ireland's cruel World Cup exit in France on Wednesday night which left their dreams of South Africa in tatters.

Brown has asked the trio to see sports psychologist Mark Nesti in a bid to assess their state of mind.

A Hull source told the Daily Star: "Nesti can help them prepare for games and be mentally ready.

"Such a massive disappointment can take its toll and be hard to overcome.

"So it is important to find out what sort of place they are in."