Bruce relishing new season

Alex Bruce admits everyone at Hull City has been on a high for the past few weeks but he is now looking forward to the new campaign.

The Tigers are preparing for life back in the Premier League after winning promotion and will regroup for pre-season training in a couple of weeks.

Bruce has enjoyed his time off but is now focused on the challenge ahead and relishing the chance to test himself against the best in the business, with the opening game of the season at Chelsea on 17 August.

"I can't wait to get back to work and for the season to start," he told the club's official website.

"I think everybody has still been on cloud nine in the last few weeks after what happened on the final day of last season and what we'd achieved still hadn't really sunk in until the fixtures came out this week.

"That was when it really hit home and that was when the excitement really set in. We worked so hard last season for this and when you see you're playing Chelsea and Manchester City in the first three weeks it's great."

While he is excited about facing the top clubs, Bruce is also aware that it will be vital for Hull to pick up points regularly at the KC Stadium.

"Our home games are going to be key," added the defender.

"The first one against Norwich you would look at as a vital one to try and pick up some points and I can't wait for that one.

"The KC will be bouncing that day - the club's first Premier League home game for three years. It will be a big occasion and I think it could be reminiscent of the Cardiff game on the final day of last season in terms of it being a bit of a carnival atmosphere.

"As exciting as the season is going to be, we can't get overawed by it all. We have to remember that there is a job to do and we're looking forward to getting stuck into it."