Defender Alex Bruce is desperate for Hull to get their own back on “bogey team” Southampton.

The Saints did the double over Bruce and company last season, easing to a 4-1 victory on home turf having already claimed a 1-0 win at the KC Stadium.

They return to East Yorkshire on Saturday on the crest of a wave, lying second in the Barclays Premier League and having won nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.

But Bruce believes the Tigers have all the motivation they need to end that streak.

“They were a bit of a bogey team for us last year,” said Bruce. “They played very well here and at St Mary’s. Hopefully we can put that right with a win.

“We have to approach it in the right way because we owe them one as it stands.

“They’ve hit the ground running this season but hopefully we can stop them in their tracks.”

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has won praise for his acumen in the transfer market since replacing Mauricio Pochettino in the summer, with the likes of Graziano Pelle, Dusan Tadic and Toby Alderweireld impressing on their first season in England.

But one of his most expensive signings came from Hull - with Koeman shelling out £12million on Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long.

It has been a slow start for him so far, with his first goal coming in the Capital One Cup win over Stoke in midweek, his 12th appearance.

But although he had only been with Hull six months before moving on, Bruce has seen enough of his former team-mate to know he could pose problems at his old stomping ground.

“Longy came here and did well for us but Southampton head-hunted him and there was a large price tag put on him,” said Bruce.

“He’s joined a very good team, he offers a huge threat with his pace. I think he plays wide for them but we’ll have to keep on top of him because he is a good player.”