Hull City goalkeeper Steve Harper has praised the club for buying Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long during the January transfer window.

Both strikers found the net for the Tigers during Saturday's 2-0 win at Sunderland in the Premier League.

Jelavic opened his account at the Stadium of Light, while Long bagged his second goal in three games for Steve Bruce's side.

"Buying those two has been a huge, huge statement from the club and for both to get a goal is absolutely fantastic," Harper told the Daily Star.

"Hull does feel like a club on the up even though we have had a bad run."

Hull continue their Premier League campaign on Tuesday when they welcome Southampton to the KC Stadium.