Steve Bruce has said that Sone Aluko's availability to face West Ham United tomorrow evening could be "key" for Hull City.

The striker, who has been hampered by an Achilles injury this season, made his first Premier League start in six months during the Tigers' win over West Bromwich Albion at the weekend.

The manager told reporters: "West Ham are big, strong and powerful. We played an adventurous system against West Brom at the weekend with Aluko off the two strikers and whether we can be that bold away from home is something I'm still contemplating.

"The key to that is Sone Aluko and whether it is right to play him twice in three or four days. It's an area I'm in deep thought about at the moment. The one thing we have to do with Sone is manage him.

"Saturday was his first Premier League start for six months and he played for just over an hour which was good to see. We have to make sure we keep him fit and manage the situation. Like anybody coming back from a long-term injury, it's going to take time."

Hull sit 12th in the Premier League table, two points ahead of tomorrow's opponents.