Hull City spirits are high maintains apologetic Bullard

Former Tigers manager Phil Brown was forced to apologise for the spat between the pair that took place 24 hours after the club's 5-1 defeat at Everton.

Members of the local Women's Institute witnessed the unseemly clash, which left supporters fearing that a split dressing room could undermine any attempts to avoid relegation.

However, Bullard has moved to allay those fears by stressing ahead of tomorrow's meeting with former club Fulham that everyone at the KC Stadium is together.

He said: "There were a few words said and it just got out of hand. We did have a little roll around but one thing I do apologise for is to do it in front of the old ladies.

"It shouldn't have happened and I apologise on Nick's behalf as well. We didn't see them and anger has taken over, which it shouldn't have done. But we are fine now.

"We talked about it, we have shaken hands and got on with it.

"With being down in the relegation zone, things take over sometimes. It wasn't much of a fight, it has been taken out of proportion.

"Being professional and one of the senior players, you shouldn't do it. But anger just takes over."

Since the clash, Brown has been replaced as manager by Iain Dowie and Bullard added: "When a new manager is brought in, there is always life brought in.

"Training is a bit sharper, a bit more intense. Players have got to prove what they can do to the new manager.

"As a team, we are all behind one another without a shadow of a doubt. We have got a good team spirit and, if we start believing in what we can do, which we do, as soon as we put a little run together, I think we will be fine."

Dowie had a heart-breaking start to life as Hull manager last Saturday, losing to Portsmouth.

Dowie's main injury worry is Stephen Hunt, who has missed the last three games with a foot injury and failed to train again yesterday. Others absent included Andy Dawson, Liam Cooper and Amr Zaki.