Hull City v Derby County: Ayala debut as Tigers ponder Bullard recall

Manager Nigel Pearson has opened the door for Bullard's possible first-team return amid mounting pressure from fans.

Bullard, who pockets around 40,000-a-week, has not played for the Tigers this season due to a need to trim the club's wage bill but a buyer or even a club able to arrange a loan deal for the former England international has still to be found.

"I'm prepared for him to be in the reckoning," said Pearson. "By no means have I written him out of the equation. All I would say is that there will be an opportunity at some point and it will be done in the interests of the group."

Ayala, meanwhile, made his debut in the weekend defeat at Cardiff City after arriving on a one-month loan deal from Premier League club Liverpool.

"I was expecting to come to Hull City because I knew my agent had been talking to the club," said Ayala.

"I'm pleased to finally be here and I'm looking forward to my time here. I need to get some experience, so I want to play games and I want to do well for this club.

Ayala, 19, made five Premier League appearances for Liverpool last season but has not been involved since the appointment of new manager Roy Hodgson.

"I played a few games for Liverpool last season and I hope to play some more here with Hull City," he said. "I am good in the air and I also feel as though I am strong in the tackle, fast and good with the ball. I hope to use all that to help Hull City do well and climb back up the table."

Hull are likely to extend Ayala's loan for the rest of the season once defender Kamil Zayatte completes his move to Leicester.

Derby have signed striker Shefki Kuqi on loan from Swansea. The Finland international and former Sheffield Wednesday forward is in contention to start tonight.

Last six games: Hull WLDLLL, Derby WLLLDL

Last time: Hull 1 Derby 2, August 12, 2006, Championship.

Referee: D Whitestone (Northamptonshire).