The popular defender found himself out of the team at Craven Cottage

Hull City chief Sergej Jakirovic says he's been delighted with the response from Ryan Giles after he lost his place for the first time in the Premier League this season.

Giles was dropped to the bench at Fulham last Saturday, with Brooke Norton-Cuffy handed a first Premier League outing and a full debut for the Tigers on the left-hand side.

Jakirovic's men delivered a woeful display on the banks of the River Thames to lose 1-0, with Norton-Cuffy struggling against the lively Oscar Bobb and Josh King.

Promotion-winning full-back Giles came off the bench for the final 22 minutes but was unable to change the course of the game, and will now hope to be restored to the starting line-up when City host Brentford at the MKM Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

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Giles had started the previous six games in the top-flight, but delivered arguably his poorest defensive display in the 2-2 draw with Everton the week before City's trip to the capital, with Jakirovic highlighting that in his decision to start with Norton-Cuffy.

City need Giles to be at the top of his game, with Matt Targett facing a lengthy spell out, it leaves just him and summer arrival Elliot Stroud as natural left-footed players capable of playing in that position.

While some players would throw their toys out of the pram after losing their place, Giles has been the model professional in training this week, and could now return when the Tigers look to return to winning ways.

"He's excellent," the City boss told Hull Live when asked how the defender had dealt with being taken out of the team at Craven Cottage. "I spoke with Giles, and Giles knows everything. Ryan knows my opinion about his qualities and what his contribution is to this team, but you must perform better.

"Like Everton, you must perform better, so there is no question, and I'm very happy because he watched the game. which is very excellent information. Ryan Giles is a first eleven player; there is no doubt about this."