Bruce’s Austin stalls...

Hull boss Steve Bruce admits he will have to go back to the drawing board after seeing his move for Burnley striker Charlie Austin fall through.
Hull City manager Steve BruceHull City manager Steve Bruce
Hull City manager Steve Bruce

The 24-year-old was expect to complete his move to the KC Stadium on Monday night before he failed a medical, prompting Bruce to renew his search.

He said: “We are obviously looking because we are all disappointed at what happened yesterday with Charlie.

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“We will go back to the drawing board again and see, and I would expect us to still bring in two or three at least to try to give us a hand.

“We have brought in three at the moment – I would expect us to bring in another three at least to help us over the next 10 months.

“But as I said, we are going to go back to the drawing board now because there has been a lot of work on Charlie and I think he would have been great for us.

“But unfortunately, it doesn’t look as if it’s going to be.”

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The details of Austin’s medical have not been made public, although the frontman has struggled with shoulder problems over the years.

Bruce said: “There has been a bit of a problem with his medical, which is the worst scenario for everybody concerned, and more so the boy.

“It’s an awful, awful, awful situation to find ourselves in but unfortunately the medical is not great, so it looks as if it is a non-starter at the moment.

“I think he is surprised because he has not really missed any games over the last couple of years.

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“It is a blow for him and it’s a blow for us, but there you go.

“These medicals are so stringent, things have progressed with scans and all the rest of it and obviously he has got a problem.”

As it stands, Austin will remain at Turf Moor with Burnley confirming the collapse of the deal in a statement.

It said: “Burnley striker Charlie Austin will not be joining Hull City after unforeseen complications halted a proposed move to the KC Stadium.

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“Austin, 24, remains a Burnley player and the club will make no further comment at his time.”

Bruce has already strengthened his squad for life in the Premier League with the additions of Allan McGregor, Maynor Figueroa, Curtis Davies, Ahmed Elmohamady and George Boyd, and will now look to alternatives striking targets.

However, Aston Villa’s want-away Belgium international Christian Benteke is unlikely to be on his list.

Asked jokingly if he had £25m to spare for Benteke, he said: “I don’t think I’ve got £25m . I think I would have to give him the Humber Bridge plus all the toll road that goes over it!”