Seb Larsson ready for emotional return to Sunderland '“ and says it's not a must-win game for Hull

Hull midfielder Seb Larsson takes on Sunderland in the 1-1 draw at the KCOM Stadium in September. Picture by Frank Reid

Seb Larsson will not let his first return to the Stadium of Light affect his determination to keep Hull City out of Championship relegation trouble.

The experienced Swede left Sunderland after six seasons in the summer, and he returns to Wearside for tomorrow’s vital battle at the bottom (3pm kick-off).

Hull go into the game in fifth-bottom spot on 25 points, one above the drop zone and three ahead of bottom club Sunderland.

Asked about taking on his former club, Larsson told the Hull Daily Mail: “I’m sure they’ll be some emotions on game day, it’s a club where I spent a large part of my career but that doesn’t matter when I step over the white line.

“In general, I have a good record in these games.

“When I was with Sunderland, I got out of tough situations quite a a few times.

“Of course I’d love to be higher up the league and not having too much to play for, but there’s no point on focussing on that, we are where we are. We’re fully aware we’re in a position that needs to be improved very quickly.

“But we have to look at the opportunities that lie ahead.

“You have to find the middle ground of understanding pressure but also not get too worked up about it – you have to have control.”

Hull have won just once in the league since Nigel Adkins replaced Leonid Slutsky as manager, though they had a goal wrongly chalked off in last week’s 0-0 draw with Reading.

The 32-year-old reckons that the Tigers’ performances are not being rewarded.

He added: “We should be winning a lot more than what we are, but that’s part of being a good team, turning half decent performances into wins.

“But I’m enjoying my football and the way we’ve tried to play lately.