Steve Bruce has admitted that his Hull City side must be aware of a potential response from managerless West Bromwich Albion this weekend.

Following Steve Clarke's sacking, caretaker boss Keith Downing will take charge of the Baggies when Hull visit The Hawthorns on Saturday.

Clarke's exit came on the back of four consecutive Premier League defeats, but Bruce has suggested that the form book is now irrelevant, as a new face at the helm could rejuvenate an Albion team that he feels is very strong.

He told reporters: "Sometimes a different voice on the training ground has a response from the players, maybe they will get together and say 'it was harsh on the manager, let's put in a performance for him'.

"We played Crystal Palace when Tony Pulis was just in situ and they came up here and turned us over.

"Whether it is a negative or positive response we will have to wait and see but we know West Brom have got some very, very good players."

Hull are currently 12th in the Premier League table, four points and three places above the Baggies.