Boss Paul Jewell has revealed that he’s spoken to Hull City’s head of football operations Adam Pearson on a number of occasions regarding Jimmy Bullard’s future and says the ball is in the Tigers’ court. The 32-year-old — who has enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell with the Blues in the second half of the season - has another two years remaining on his £45,000-a-week contract at the KC Stadium.
Jewell said: "I know Adam Pearson really well, I worked with him at Derby. I’ve chatted with Adam a few times and the ball’s really in their court.
"We’ve done well to get Jimmy for what we’ve had him for this season, whether we can do it again is probably down to negotiations between the two clubs.
"I know he’s really enjoyed it here, I know the players enjoy having him here and I know the fans love him.
"I worked with him at Wigan and here and he’s exactly the same - he’s just as daft now as he was then.”
The Blues boss says the addition of the one-time England call-up has been a huge benefit to the club: "I think bringing in the likes of Jimmy Bullard has really helped us, really helped the team and really helped us to get some results.
"Jimmy’s 32, but he plays like an 18-year-old. The fans love his enthusiasm. He arguably might be the Player of the Year, I don’t know.
"He’s enthusiastic, loves his football and we want people like that. You don’t have to be 19 or 20 to be hungry. You get some players who are in their mid or late 20s who’ve got hunger and desire, and that’s what we’re after - a mixture of both.”
Bullard is currently heading the vote for the Player of the Year, which Jewell says illustrates how supporters have taken to him since he joined the club in January: "I think that would probably tell you what the fans think of him. He’s been terrific for us and we’d like to have him here next season.
"Whether we can do that is a financial matter, everyone knows he’s on a huge contract at Hull. If we could do something with Jimmy, we’d love to.”
You can vote for your Player of the Year either online or at Saturday’s game against Preston. The winner will be named at the Players’ Awards Evening on Saturday at Greshams Sports and Social Club, all details http://www.twtd.co.uk/news.php?storyid=18324>here