They may have done it the hard way on the final day of the season, but Hull City returned to the Premier League after a three-year absence back in May.

While Steve Bruce has been highly praised for the work that he has carried out at the KC Stadium, the next few months will arguably be some of the toughest that he has faced in management.

His side are one of the clear favourites to be relegated, which suggests that the summer transfer window will be an important one for the club. Here, Sports Mole highlights five players who could help keep the Tigers in the top flight.

Kasper Schmeichel, Leicester City

Of the current crop of Hull goalkeepers, Eldin Jakupovic is arguably the most senior. However, he showed on occasions that he is liable to make an error, albeit from just five outings.

While the attackers may have been able to rectify his mistakes in the Championship, goalscoring opportunities will not be as frequent in the Premier League.

Following stints with Manchester City, Notts County and Leeds United, Schmeichel as started to look like the real deal at the King Power Stadium.

While he does not have the physical presence that his father possessed, he is a fine shot-stopper and is confident with the ball at his feet.

The 26-year-old is good friends with Bruce's son Alex, who is also part of the current Hull squad.

Sylvain Distin, Everton

Bruce has a number of defenders on his books, but the likes of Paul McShane and Liam Rosenior have previously tried their hand in the Premier League and not exactly come out of it smelling of roses.

Distin may have ended the season as first choice at Goodison Park, but if rumours of Joleon Lescott returning to Everton are to be believed, the Frenchman could find himself down the pecking order.

At the age of 35, it is unlikely that Distin would be content with sitting on the bench on a regular basis.

His performances last term showed that he still has plenty to give, though, and should he switch to Hull, he is likely to be a guaranteed starter. His experience could prove crucial in the bigger matches.

Lee Cattermole, Sunderland

While the likes of Robbie Brady and Stephen Quinn are talented, easy on the eye footballers, it would be fair to say that none of the trio are known for their tackling ability.

Step forward Cattermole, who is acknowledged for little else! At times he is hard to trust - just take a look at his disciplinary record. Yes, he is going to miss games through suspension, but is what he does on the pitch worth putting up with that?

Bruce seems to think so, having signed the 25-year-old at both Wigan Athletic and Sunderland. It's clear that Cattermole's willingness to run and break up attacks is something that impresses the Hull gaffer.

Yet another reunion may also appeal to the midfielder, especially with Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio seemingly making a point of falling out with every member of his squad.

Kenwyne Jones, Stoke City

If you're going to stay in the Premier League as a newly-promoted outfit, you're going to have to score goals.

Now, while Hull shared the goals among the squad last season, their leading scorer was midfielder Robert Koren with 10. Their most prolific frontman was Jay Simpson with seven, but he has been released.

To be brutally honest, it's an area of the pitch for Hull that needs some dramatic alterations.

Granted Stoke's Jones is my no means a prolific scorer, but he makes a good partner for someone. His sheer physical presence means that he is often marked by two defenders, which in turn leaves space for his fellow striker.

He can score, though, - as his statistics show when given a regular run over an entire campaign he is capable of scoring double figures.

Gary Hooper, Celtic

Perhaps the best partner for Jones would be Hooper, who has made himself a reputation as a deadly centre-forward down the years.

He has scored an impressive 82 times in 137 appearances for Celtic, while before that with Scunthorpe United he notched 50 goals in 95 outings.

He may not have been tested in the English top flight and while he will not get as many chances with Hull that he has enjoyed in Scotland, he doesn't often seem to miss.

It appears that he is keen to move on now, having achieved everything that he can in Scotland. However, Hull will have to up their reported recent £4.5m offer if they are to land the 25-year-old.