Hull City midfielder Jimmy Bullard has explained his celebrations after victory over Stoke on Sunday.

Bullard played the full game and had a hand in Hull's late winner as his long-range shot was pushed out by Thomas Sorensen and fired in by Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

While the Dutchman ran to supporters, Bullard celebrated by rushing in the opposite direction to embrace physio Simon Maltby and his assistant Liam McGarry.

"I came here and got injured in my first game, an absolute nightmare start," said Bullard, who played for just 37 minutes against West Ham in January before undergoing surgery.

"Every player will tell you when you have a long-term injury, you always have a right-hand man with you.

"Every day I was in touch with him [Maltby]. I was closer to him than I was to my missus at some points!

"There were a lot of bad times but he has been absolutely brilliant, so has Liam.

"I owe those two loads, so I just thought I'd show my appreciation and give them a cuddle."