THE Jimmy Bullard summer saga has taken another twist after his parent club Hull City said they expected him to remain with the Tigers.

This means the mercurial midfielder could line up against Ipswich Town in their first home league match of the season.

Hull are due to visit Portman Road on August 13 and as things stand, Bullard, who made such an impression during his four-month loan spell with the Blues, has every chance of returning to the Tigers midfield.

While QPR manager Neil Warnock continues to court the playmaker, Hull’s director of football Adam Pearson has for the first time admitted Bullard remains very much in manager Nigel Pearson’s plans.

The 32-year-old was a somewhat surprise inclusion in City’s pre-season training camp in Slovenia with his notoriously high wages seemingly stalling any move to the Premier League – and virtually abandoning any hopes of a welcome reunion with Ipswich.

Pearson said: “The situation with Jimmy is that he’s gone to Slovenia as part of the first-team squad and I genuinely can’t see that changing.

“We’ve had a bit of interest from QPR, as has been widely reported, but that hasn’t come to anything.

“Jimmy is fit, he’s come back in good shape and he’s part of the first-team plans for sure. He looks to have a smile on his face and let’s hope he can play a part for us.”

Ironically, Bullard’s form and fitness at Portman Road may have played his way back into the thinking of one of Town’s Championship rivals.