Goalkeeper Ivor Pandur admits losing his place to Carl Rushworth was a tough moment but has praised Ruben Selles' man-management style for the way he handled things.

Rushworth was handed a Tigers debut against Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup earlier this month, his first outing after joining on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer. He then started the 1-0 win at Millwall and 2-1 home loss to QPR last Tuesday night, bringing an end to Pandur's run of 26 consecutive league games.

After believing the Halifax-born stopper would stay for the remainder of the season after recovering from a three-month absence due to an ankle injury, Albion recalled Rushworth on Wednesday after Jason Steele required surgery, catching City by surprise.

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That gave Pandur a couple of days to prepare for his return to the starting line-up against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Friday night. He kept his third clean sheet of the season as City roared to an impressive 3-0 win, with the 24-year-old rarely tested.

"It was a really tough moment, honestly," the Croatian told Hull Live. "It was a decision of our gaffer to see because he hadn't had a chance to see Carl playing this season. He wanted to give him a chance. At that moment, you need to accept it and pick yourself up, and hope for the best. Things turned out good for me. I was ready for everything, you cannot really cry about it and you need to pick yourself up again and believe in yourself.

"It was fair (to give Rushworth a chance), he had his reason. At first, it was confusing until we had a moment to speak with each other because I had a feeling that I was doing at least a good job. He (Selles) said it wasn't about performances, it was just about seeing what he (Rushworth) could offer to the team, then compare and make a decision until the rest (of the campaign).

"I'm proud how I managed everything. It wasn't easy but I think I have a strong head on my shoulders and it helped me through some difficult moments in my career, I'm just grateful that I'm healthy and I can play football for this great club.

"In football you never know, it's really interesting. In some moments, you can be so, so down and then so up. You need to believe in yourself that you can offer something better for the team and prove it every day in training."

Pandur says the group of players have really taken to Selles' direct approach, and especially the level of his man-management since arriving.

"From the first moment he came, I was really happy because he's great at man-management – obviously a great coach with his idea of how we play – but his man-management is really good, and everybody knows where he stands with him," the stopper continued. "He's quite direct, so you know how things work. He's never there to insult somebody for no reason. He always says what he thinks, and we have full trust in him as a team.

"Yes, one hundred per cent (we're enjoying playing football again). You can see our faces after the game, during the game, we all breathe like one and fight for each other and that's the biggest strength of this team now."

A few days on from those special scenes in the Bramall Lane rain, Pandur, who was front and centre, says it's important the players take that form into the remainder of the season, starting with Saturday's must-win home meeting with Stoke City.

"That feeling is why we play football," he continued. "Now, we need to take it into the rest of the season. One hundred per cent. It just shows the character and quality now, especially with a couple of great signings, I think this team is now really good, and we can fight with everybody like we showed."