After making it to Wembley at the tail-end of last season as well deserved FA cup runners-up, Steve Bruce’s plucky Tigers were expected to bring their impressive form into 2014/15, and likely record a top 10 finish as a result of their efforts.

Rarely does life in English football ever go that to plan, however, and now that Hull City currently sit in the unpopular realm the lower end of the Premier Legaue, the KC stadium faithful could do with some cause for optimism.

The January transfer window, with all the false hope and inflated expectation that comes with it, acts as a great opportunity for Hull, who despite getting the chequebook out fairly frequently in the summer, need a few fresh faces to keep the energy up at the KC.

In light of this, here are five potential transfer targets could help save Hull City’s turbulent season…

Steven Fletcher

Fletcher

Whilst injuries have so far played a big role in Steven Fletcher’s career, both initially with Wolves and later with Sunderland, the Scottish striker could still prove a vital asset in any Premier League relegation battle this season.

The current Sunderland no. 9 has all the hallmarks of a traditional British player - he is good in the air, can hold his own up-top, and has a distinctly keen eye for goal. Although the ex-Wolves ace has seemingly been around for a good while, at only 27-years-old, and certainly still has a good few seasons left in him.

Despite string links with the Black Cats favourite, Gus Poyet would be mad to let one of his most effective players move on to a potential rival in this season’s relegation dog-fight.

Rudy Gestede

Gestede

As Blackburn’s top goal-scorer in the Championship this season, Rudy Gestede marks a potentially exciting transfer for Steve Bruce, albeit a January gamble as well.

The French-born striker is currently joint fourth for goals in his league, with an impressive 12 finishes netted already for Rovers. His tall stature makes him somewhat suited to the Premier League, but as he has failed to make an impression in the past with Cardiff City, Gestede has hardly had his game tested at top-flight level.

Steve Bruce is said to be looking at the 26-year-old with Yaya Sanogo on loan at Crystal Palace and Jermain Defoe now with Sunderland.

Callum McManaman

McManaman

Despite being a past star of Wigan’s famous FA Cup run, Callum McManaman isn’t exactly in the highest demand with this season’s January transfer window now upon the Premier League.

McManaman, who still comes with a lot of potential at only 23-years-old, is a raw talent who has shown that he has the grit and determination required to become a top level player. He has however, since not matched the expectations many external influences had set upon him. The English winger could still perhaps do a decent job a getting Hull City to bounce forward on the break, and start profiting from their hard work.

Putting aside his potential ‘one season wonder’ status, Callum McManaman becomes the second major Championship player to be linked to the Tigers this January.

Ruben Ferreira

Bruce

For all the home-grown talent and global stars to be linked with a move to the Premier League, Ruben Ferreira wouldn’t be the first name on the lips of Hull City supporters wanting to bring new faces to the KC this season.

The 24-year-old Portuguese defender plays at full back for CS Maritimo, who currently sit 10th in the Primeira Liga. Whilst many within the English footballing community can’t claim to know bundles of information about Hull’s latest transfer candidate, Ferreira, who has different qualities and international experience at U21 level, could add some much needed competition among Bruce’s somewhat stagnant back-four.

Hull City have been linked to the Portuguese defender in recent weeks, but it is expected that any potential deal that ushers Ferreira into the KC Stadium would either be on loan terms, or as a potential last minute panic buy in the wake of no other options for Steve Bruce.

Hatem Ben Arfa

Ben Arfa

Whilst Hatem Ben Arfa wouldn’t exactly be a new face with the Tigers this January, the reported breakdown of his seemingly completed deal to OGC Nice could result in the former Newcastle favourite finally pulling up his socks for Steve Bruce.

The 27-year-old attacker, who has since seen his stock fall considerably at both Hull and Newcastle, as well as on the international scene with France, has failed to match the standards that he himself just a few years ago. Hatem Ben Arfa can beat players for fun, score quite unbelievable goals, and be simply unplayable on his day.

His recent form has shown next to none of those aforementioned qualities however. As FIFA have seemingly blocked Ben Arfa’s move back to Ligue 1, on the grounds that no player can play for more than two clubs in one season, perhaps now will be his time to finally arrive at Hull City.