Hull boss Nigel Pearson revealed his disappointment at receiving a written transfer request from club captain Nigel Ashbee. Ashbee was linked with a switch to Preston on Friday as part of a loan move that would see him reunite with former Tigers boss Phil Brown.

Ashbee, a Hull servant of nine years, was left out of the squad for the 0-0 home draw with leaders QPR.

The City boss told reporters: "I'll give you the facts as they are.

"Yesterday he came in and before training, told me a club had offered him a contract - make of that what you will.

"In the afternoon, we had a written transfer request. Apart from that, I'm not making any more statements on that situation.

"Those are the facts as they are. I'll see how that one develops."

Pearson admitted he was upset at Ashbee for asking to leave the club a day before their encounter with the Championship table-toppers.

He went on: "The biggest thing for me, what I'm disappointed about, is the timing - on a Friday morning when you're preparing for the game, I'm disappointed."

"Having said that, it's something that happens in football.

"The club have received a written transfer request from the player. Full stop."

On the stalemate with QPR at the KC Stadium, the 47-year-old felt his team his side could have sneaked victory.

"I was pleased with our discipline and I thought we worked very hard as a team," he said. "As the game wore on, we were more likely to nick it."