Pearson returns for Hobbs

Nigel Pearson has raided his former club once more for centre-back Jack Hobbs on loan until the end of the campaign.

The 22-year-old has found first-team opportunities limited this season under Sven-Goran Eriksson, and has struggled to recapture the form which saw him pick up the Foxes' Player of the Year award last season.

Hobbs was a superb performer under Pearson in City's successful play-off finish, and the Tigers chief has not been put off by a disappointing campaign this time around.

Foxes chief Eriksson welcomed the move, saying: "It will be good for Jack, of course. He is young, he is our player and he needs to play football.

"He is a good talent and you don't know how good he could be in the next couple of seasons.

"I don't think the manager of Hull would have asked him if he hasn't plans to play him.

"It is good for Jack. We loan him out but we do it for him and for ourselves as well. We want him to develop through playing as much football as possible."

Hobbs signed from Liverpool in the summer of 2009, and quickly became a favourite at the Walkers Stadium with a string of consistently excellent showings.

But he has quickly fallen behind Sol Bamba, Ben Mee, Jeffrey Bruma and Miguel Vitor in the pecking order this campaign, and as such has sought a move away for much-needed first-team action.

The defender remains a popular figure among the Blue Army, but few would conceded that a loan move is perhaps the best for his short-term future.

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