Teenage midfielder Tom Cairney is close to signing a new four-year contract with Hull, according to boss Phil Brown.
The youngster has forced his way into the Tigers side this season and produced some impressive displays alongside experienced campaigner George Boateng in the absence of Jimmy Bullard.
And Brown confirmed at a Radio Humberside Fans Forum at the KC Stadium on Thursday evening that they are close to tying down Cairney to a long-term deal.
"Tom has played very well for us and people are saying he should be the first name on the teamsheet even though he is still a young lad," he said.
"We are very, very close to signing him on a new four-year contract and that would be great news both for Tom and Hull City."
Meanwhile Brown also revealed that highly-rated central defender Liam Cooper will feature heavily for City in the Premier League run-in due to Anthony Gardner's ongoing ankle injury.
Cooper has played only once this term in the 6-1 thrashing at Liverpool, but brown added: "Liam Cooper played at Liverpool and he took his chance that day only to be let down by nine other outfield players.
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Unfortunately he picked up a hand injury off-field after that game, but he has the bit between his teeth and he will play Premier League football between now and the end of the season."