Fearless Hull City youngster on a charge to keep Tigers stalwart sidelined

Hull City stalwart Alfie Jones has praised central defensive partner Charlie Hughes for the way in which he's taken to life in the Championship, though he admits it has been tough on Sean McLoughlin.

Hughes made his City debut off the bench in the 4-0 hammering at Norwich City last month coming on at half-time for the Republic of Ireland defender, keeping his place in the starting XI ever since, leaving McLoughlin on the bench since coming off at Carrow Road.

The 21-year-old summer signing from Wigan Athletic has impressed in his combative displays so far, becoming a firm favourite on the terraces. And Jones says the next challenge for the pair and their teammates is to keep a first clean sheet since the third game of the Championship season, and help the Tigers get back to winning ways starting with next Saturday's crucial trip to Luton Town.

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"He (Hughes) is developing really well," Jones told Hull Live. "I think he's just grown in confidence in every game and he's made a great impact. He's a top lad and he's good in the dressing room as well. The fans love him, you can see it on the pitch already. He works hard in training and you can see the quality he has in training and he's showing it in the game now, he's great to work with.

"For a young lad, he's had that experience. I think he's a top player, he's a top lad and he works hard day in and day out. It's a pleasure to play alongside and hopefully now we can start getting clean sheets together. Yep (he's fearless). He's got everything. He'll he'll put his head where it hurts and he can play as well, he'll keep his head, and he'll keep working hard."

Jones may well have amassed more than 160 appearances for the Tigers, with more than a century of those coming in the Championship, but he says he can still learn of his much younger teammate .

"Yes, definitely (I can learn from him)," he said. "He's played with different players so he's got bits from his game that I can learn off and vice versa, so that's why I feel like we're a good partnership, and it's going well at the moment, but we just need to get back to getting clean sheets."

Naturally, with Hughes coming into Tim Walter's team and keeping his place, it's left McLoughlin to sit in the stands for the last six games, and while Jones says it's unfortunate on the long-serving Irishman, the competition is welcome.

"Macca has been unbelievable for the club and he's been good this season as well so it's a tough one for him to take but we've got competition now which is good for any team and you need that."