Steve Bruce: Hull in 'horrible dogfight' at bottom of the table

Hull City have scored seven goals in eight games since the turn of the year

Hull City manager Steve Bruce says his team are in a "horrible dogfight" at the bottom of the Premier League.

The Tigers are unbeaten in their last three fixtures, having drawn at Manchester City and recorded wins over fellow strugglers Aston Villa and QPR.

"We're in a horrible dogfight and there's eight or nine teams in with us who are all feeling it," said Bruce.

Bruce's side are 15th, four points above the relegation zone, and travel to Stoke on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

On their battle at the bottom of the table:

"The result against Manchester City gave everyone a lift at the right time and back-to-back wins against teams around us... how good that feels.

"Two weeks ago we were in the bottom three and now we're four points clear, but we've got to maintain it.

"We're not out of the woods yet. If you can put another couple of results together at this particular stage of the season, it will really help."

On using Stoke as inspiration:

"Stoke and West Brom are two types of club we can take an example from.

"They're well run, they built their training grounds up and the infrastructure to go with it, and over the years they've steadily become established Premier League teams.

"That's something we can aspire to. The longer we're here, the better the squad becomes and the better facilities become."

On midfielder Mohamed Diame:

The 27-year-old has been out since 3 December with a knee injury and Bruce said: "He won't make this weekend and I don't think he'll make Tuesday (home game versus Sunderland).

"I'm hoping after this weekend he can join in but he certainly needs another 10 days to two weeks, I'd have thought."