HULL City boss Steve Bruce admits his decision to allow Corry Evans to leave for Blackburn Rovers was a ‘horrible’ one.

Evans, who will make his first return to the KC Stadium this afternoon, played a key part in Hull’s automatic promotion to the Premier League in 2012-13.

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But after Bruce signed midfielders Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore from Tottenham Hotspur, the Northern Ireland international was told his chances would be limited in the top flight.

And Evans, who had one year remaining on his Hull contract, decided to make a £600,000 move to Rovers, signing a three-year contract in August 2013.

Bruce said: “He did ever so well for me and the club.

“It was one of those horrible ones because he’s such a nice lad; never a minute’s trouble. He’s a great person to have around the dressing room and he played really well for me.

“A bid came in for him and we left it to him. I said to him, ‘Corry, it’s your call’. The bid was in and it was up to him whether he wanted to stay or go.

“The idea of playing every week and a three-year contract was what made him want to go.”

Evans, who will go into this afternoon’s Championship clash in fine form, said: “I’m really looking forward to going back. I made lots of friends and lots of memories.

“They’ve got a good, experienced manager and I’m sure they’ll be expecting to get promoted either automatic or through the play-offs.

“But hopefully we’ll get the three points as it’s all about ourselves and how we perform. It would be nice to get back-to-back wins and help ourselves get further up the table.”