Hull owner Assem Allam’s controversial bid to change the club’s name looks all but over after the FA announced its membership committee had made a “unanimous recommendation” to its council to reject the request.

Assuming that there are no last minute complications in the completion of his €7.4 million move from West Brom, Shane Long is all set to begin a new chapter is his career at Hull City — though a minor ankle knock could rule him out of a debut appearance for the Tigers against Norwich tomorrow.

Hull owner Assem Allam has been accused of a “crude attempt at blackmail” after he threatened to quit the club within 24 hours if his controversial move to change the club’s name to Hull Tigers does not receive FA approval.

Hull City were set to complete the record signing of Nikica Jelavic from Everton on Wednesday but doubts remained over the Tigers’ hopes of enticing West Brom striker Shane Long to the KC Stadium.

Spurs employ science to get Vertonghen fit

Arsenal 2 Hull 0

Arsene Wenger is confident Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen will still be at the Emirates Stadium when the January transfer window closes.

Brendan Rodgers believes his Liverpool side face a stiff test of their credentials in the coming weeks.

Liverpool lost ground on table-topping Arsenal as strikes from Jake Livermore and David Meyler, as well as a Martin Skrtel own goal, handed Hull a surprise 3-1 victory at the KC Stadium.

Hull fans’ group ’City Til We Die’ has challenged club owner Assem Allam over his continued plans to change the side’s name, telling him they believe the Football Association will take a dim view of any move.

Hull owner Assem Allam has confirmed the club will be formally renamed Hull City Tigers from the start of the new season.

When Republic of Ireland and Hull defender Paul McShane trudged off the KC Stadium pitch at full-time yesterday he thought the next time he would return to it would be for an npower Championship play-off clash eight days later.