Hull City chairman Paul Duffen has played down the prospect of strengthening the squad in January.

He said: "The January window is an artificial market created for bizarre reasons by FIFA.

"As far as we're concerned we build a squad for the beginning of the season for the coming campaign.

"January is available if we need cover because of injury but I feel too many sides bring in new blood mid-season that disrupts the dressing-room. We had 12 new players come here during the summer and it takes a long time for them to bed in. A few have yet to start a first-team game.

"I suspect we'll look upon January as an option but certainly not a must-do to spend money. In some ways it would be an insult to the team we have on the pitch today that we trust and have done so well. Why dismantle all that for the second half of the season?"