Ashbee stays as Tigers skipper

Hull manager Phil Brown has confirmed Ian Ashbee will lead the Tigers in their debut season in the Barclays Premier League.

Brown has signed the likes of George Boateng and Anthony Gardner this summer, but 31-year-old midfielder Ashbee will retain the captaincy.

Ashbee has led City in their triumphant march up the tables from League Two, ensuring it was a simple choice for Brown ahead of the opening game against Fulham at the KC Stadium in nine days’ time.

“It wasn’t a difficult decision for me, not at all,” Brown told the Hull Daily Mail.

“We’ve always got on very well during our time together, and we’ve seen to eye-to-eye on almost everything.

“There have been times where we’ve not agreed on things, but we’ve always put those times behind us and moved on. We’ve moved forward together.

“When I arrived as manager, I said to him I would take him to the Premier League, and Ash said the same thing back.

“We’ve fulfilled those promises now, and Ian will get the chance to lead out the side in the Premier League.”

Sunderland boss Roy Keane, meanwhile, has denied Hull have made an enquiry about striker Michael Chopra.