Hull in £6m move for West Brom striker Shane Long

Sources in Humberside last night revealed the Tigers had lodged an offer with the Baggies for the Ireland striker, who they went within a whisker of signing September.

Hull boss Steve Bruce still wants Long despite agreeing a fee with Everton to buy Croatia international striker Nikica Jelavic.

Long flew to Hull on transfer deadline day in September to seal a £6.5m switch, only for Albion to pull the plug at the 11th hour.

But Bruce has maintained his interest in the 26-year-old, who has yet to agree an extension to his current contract, which has five months to run plus a year's option.

Hull last night agreed a fee of around £6.5m for Jelavic and have opened talks on personal terms.

And they are thought to have offered the Baggies around £6m for Long, who is believed to be happy at The Hawthorns but frustrated at the prolonged talks over a new deal.

Meanwhile, assistant boss Keith Downing today pledged to ensure Mel is not found wanting when he takes charge of Albion next week. The new Hawthorns head coach was due to watch the Baggies in action at Southampton today before taking the reins officially after signing an 18-month contract to replace Steve Clarke.

And Downing, who was taking charge for the sixth and final time before reverting to a support role, insisted he and goalkeeping coach Dean Kiely will make sure the 50-year-old ex-Real Betis coach adapts to the Premier League.

"He will have the best support he could have," said Downing. "Myself and Dean know what the Premier League is like. So we will give him the best advice and then it's up to him to make his judgements.

"He's done well at Betis and hopefully he can bring success here."