Old boy Barmby to face Spurs

Hull are expecting a bumper crowd at their KC Stadium tomorrow for their centenary celebration match against Tottenham.

Nick Barmby, who was born in Hull and is an avid supporter of the club, is expected to face one of his former clubs and manager Peter Taylor, a former Spurs star, said: "This is a great game for us.

"Spurs have promised to field their strongest side and it's a perfect home debut for Nick."

Barmby is looking forward to playing for Hull and linking up with Taylor.

He said: "Peter is doing a great job and I've been very impressed with him.

"It doesn't surprise me, though, because he has a tremendous reputation as a coach and has good staff behind him."

Taylor intends to carry on at the helm of Hull this season, despite his appointment as the FA's new Under-21 coach.

Spurs, who follow the Hull game by visiting Sheffield United on Sunday, will be without Michael Brown, who has a slight knee injury.

The midfielder picked up the injury in a friendly against FC Copenhagen in Sweden last week.

Brown is disappointed to be missing out on a date against the Blades, with whom he spent four years. "I have been looking forward to this game for a long time," he said.

"But it's not worth the risk. The injury is still a little sore and I've got to make sure it's right."

Meanwhile, former Spurs target Bobby Convey has joined Reading from DC United for £815,000.