HULL CITY: Brown – Hunt will stay
The Tigers had already received bids of £3m and £3.5m and the latest twist has seen them reject a £4m bid from tomorrow's Premier League opponents.
Brown staged talks with Hunt yesterday in a bid to resolve the uncertainty and "tentatively" discussed a new and improved contract for the winger.
But with Hunt's persistent suitors arriving at the KC Stadium for a six-pointer tomorrow, Brown is relishing the prospect of seeing his sought-after star showing his allegiances lie with City.
"Stephen is a good player at this level," said Brown. "Everyone loves his attitude, the way he plays the game, and everyone wants a piece of that.
"I've had numerous calls from Premier League managers asking if we were selling and the answer has always been no.
"He's shown what he's all about this season and that's what he'll show for the rest of the season.
Amr Zaki in Training - VIDEO
"Even if he's supposedly unsettled, he'll give it his best. I'm looking forward to the game because if someone has unsettled him unfairly, then the opposition will feel that."
Asked if he felt Hunt would remain a City player after Monday's 5pm deadline, Brown added: "There's no doubt in my mind."
Arriving from Reading for £3.5m in August, Hunt penned a lucrative four-year deal but while there is still three-and-a-half years remaining, Brown admitted talks over new terms had been broached.
"It's not because we feel held to ransom or that someone's come in so we have to flex our muscles.
"He's got a great contract here but he sat down with me yesterday and asked if it was true about the numbers being talked about.
"It follows on that an enquiry about a new contract would be his course of action. We've tentatively started talking but that's about it."
Brown's clear desire to hold on to Hunt's services will be well received by City fans ahead of the visit of Wolves tomorrow.
But any hopes of seeing fellow favourite Jimmy Bullard back in the fold have been finally dashed.
The club-record signing, who has been absent for seven weeks with a knee injury, has been unable to resume full training and now also looks set to miss the visit of Chelsea next Tuesday.
"Chelsea is maybe too soon as well but Man City (February 6) is a possibility," said Brown.
"He'll have a pessimistic point of view because he's the one that's been through it and I'll have an optimistic view because I just want him back the sooner the better."
Kamil Zayatte (ankle) is Brown's biggest headache going into tomorrow's game after not training all week.
The City boss remains hopeful that the defender will be available but also has minor question marks over the fitness of Geovanni and Kamel Ghilas.
New loan signing Amr Zaki looks set to be handed a debut but may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Stephen Hunt
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