Hull City boss Steve Bruce has slammed the decision of the club to sell Tom Ince to Derby County.
The 23-year-old joined the Rams for a club-record fee - believed to be in the region of £4.75m - after just one season with Bruce's men, the majority of which he spent out on loan at the Midlands club.
However, Bruce has revealed that he was furious with the decision as he claims it could affect their challenge to return to the Premier League at the first attempt.
"I certainly wouldn't have sold Tom and I did all I could to keep him," Bruce is quoted as saying by The Mirror.
"We shouldn't be selling our top young players when trying to put together a team to challenge for an immediate return to the Premier League.
"I saw Tom as an integral part of my plans. But Derby met the buy-out clause and then it was the choice of others to let him leave."
Ince made 18 appearances for the Rams last season, scoring 11 goals.
Simon Sinclair
