Hull City defender Paul McShane is happy to have battled his way back into manager Steve Bruce's plans.

McShane, who played in the 1-1 draw at Manchester City, had been told to train with Hull's under-21 players and said he thought he might not play for the first-team again.

McShane said: "To be honest, no I didn't but there is always hope.

"You can't hold grudges in football, it is such a short career. You have got to make peace with the past when you move forward."

Bruce said: "You can't fault ever Paul McShane and his attitude on the pitch, he gives you everything he has got time after time.

"That makes him the cult hero he is, the supporters associate with him. They forgive a mistake because they see the effort and endeavour.

"The problem - and I can understand it - is when I don't pick him he becomes a young, angry man."