Hull boss Phil Brown has reassured veteran striker Dean Windass he remains part of his first-team plans for the Premier League season.The 39-year-old former Bradford hitman watched from the bench as the Tigers got off to a flying start in the top flight with a 2-1 win over Fulham.

Caleb Folan got the nod off the bench, from where Windass watched all 90 minutes of the game at the KC Stadium, and did his chances of landing a starting role by grabbing the winning goal against the Cottagers.

The summer capture of Marlon King has intensified competition in the forward line - but Brown says Windass will get some action "sooner rather than later".

The tanned Tigers chief told the Hull Daily Mail: "Of course, there were some frustrated players (against Fulham), but the only way for them to vent their frustrations is to train well and put their hat in the ring for the Blackburn game.

"On Saturday, the decision was based on who was tiring and who might bring us pace.

"That doesn't mean to say that there'll never be a place for Dean Windass to start, that's for sure. He brings a lot of experience to this squad.

"He's keen to get his first start, like a lot of players, and hopefully that will come sooner rather than later."

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