Burton Albion face their first Championship away trip of the season at relegated Hull City tomorrow (3pm).

The Tigers are looking to readjust to life in the second tier after their one-year stay in the Premier League ended in May – and they have a new manager, former Russia boss Leonid Slutsky.

A 1-1 draw at one of the promotion favourites, Aston Villa, last weekend suggests some of the negativity around Hull after their return to the Championship was misplaced.

Hull kicked off their season with a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa

They will be looking to carry that momentum into the clash with the Brewers, while Albion will want to get their first win after the opening day defeat by Cardiff.

We spoke to the Hull Daily Mail’s Will Jackson about Tigers’ outgoings, a lack of optimism, and Slutsky’s early impact.

LOSS OF KEY PLAYERS HITS HARD

As is so often the case when a side is relegated from the Premier League, Hull have seen some of their outstanding talent poached over the summer.

Left-back Andy Robertson joined Liverpool, Harry Maguire and Eldin Jakupovic both moved to Leicester City and talismanic midfielder Tom Huddlestone returned to Derby County, one of the Tigers’ Championship rivals.

Unsurprisingly, after the departure of so many key players, there seems to be mixed feelings about Hull’s chances in the Championship this time around, especially with fewer incomings than outgoings so far.

But the Tigers steadily built some momentum for the campaign during a good pre-season run and they showed real quality to come from behind to earn a point at much-fancied Aston Villa on Saturday.

So what is the mood among Hull fans at this stage?

Jackson said: "With the transfers so far, the feeling is not too optimistic at the minute.

Ben Turner (right) clears the ball ahead of Leicester City's Harry Maguire

"They’ve lost the likes of Harry Maguire and Andy Robertson and a few other high-profile players.

"So the overriding feeling is one of not being optimistic.

"But, having said that, the results have been positive so far.

"The draw at Aston Villa was not bad at all and pre-season was good as well.

"In terms of expectations, I think most Hull fans would be happy with a mid-table finish.

"But, as is always the case, if they bring in a few players, expectations will rise."

SLUTSKY’S SETTLING IN

Hull’s big-name players have not been the only ones who headed through the KCOM exit this summer.

Marco Silva, the manager who took over with the Tigers bottom of the table and led them agonisingly close to Premier League survival last season, left the club before joining Premier League side Watford.

Leonid Slutsky during his time as Russia manager
Leonid Slutsky during his time as Russia manager

In came Slutsky, the former Russia and CSKA Moscow manager.

As their pre-season form and draw at Villa have shown, the new manager’s early impact has been a positive one – and Jackson agrees.

He said: "It’s really positive – he’s a popular figure and quite a character as well!

"There are some great videos of him at Euro 2016 with Russia when he’s very animated on the touchline.

"He seems to have made an impact with fans already."

DANGER MAN

Hull’s fifth signing of the summer was made earlier this week, when former Sunderland and Birmingham City midfielder Sebastian Larsson joined on a one-year deal.

It remains to be seen whether he will make his Tigers debut against the Brewers but could he hold the key to unlocking Burton’s defence if he does feature?

Jackson said: "He might make an impact straightaway.

"I’m not sure if he will start, but he’ll be looking to play and will want to make that immediate impact.

"Jarrod Bowen is another one to watch. He scored his first goal at the weekend and he’ll fancy kicking on from that now."

Jarrod Bowen (left) grabbed Hull City's equaliser at Aston Villa

PHYSIO ROOM

Former Burton Albion loanee Kevin Stewart is yet to feature for the Tigers since signing from Liverpool earlier in the summer and he is doubtful for tomorrow’s game.

Kevin Stewart (right) had a loan spell with Burton Albion in 2014/15

Goalkeeper David Marshall is also expected to be out, while Will Keane, Ryan Mason and Moses Odubajo are all longer-term absentees.