File Photo: Hull City's Ahmed Elmohamady (C) celebrates scoring during a previous English Premier League soccer match at The KC Stadium in Hull, northern England (Photo: Reuters)
Hull City coach Steve Bruce heaped praise on wing-back Ahmed Elmohamady with the Egyptian international on the verge of making his 100th consecutive league start for the Tigers.
Since February 2013, Elmohamady has played in every one of Hull's 99 Championship and Premier League fixtures.
He is the first Hull player to enjoy such a run since Richard Jobson made 161 consecutive appearances between 1986 and 1990.
"The one thing you have to say about Elmo is that he's blessed with wonderful athleticism," Bruce was quoted as saying by Hull Daily Mail newspaper on Wednesday.
"The way he looks after himself, he's a non-drinker, and he trains well every day."
"It's effortless for him to train. It doesn't take anything out of him training each day and he takes that into every game."
"Physically, he's always in good shape. He can count himself lucky that he's never been injured in that time but because of his fitness levels, he does all the right things to give himself every chance of playing," the coach added.
Road to England
Elmohamady first appeared in the English Premier League in 2011, joining Sunderland on loan from Egyptian outfit ENPPI.
He managed to nail down a regular place in Hull City's team in the last two seasons after joining them on a permanent basis from Sunderland in 2013. He has missed just two of Hull's 126 league games since then.
The 27-year-old was one of the Premier League's most consistent performers last season. He featured in all of Hull's 38 league matches and was substituted only once.
"It's a great achievement for him. He's been a great signing for us," said Bruce, who first brought Elmohamady to English football as Sunderland boss in 2010.
"I remember him as a young kid coming over to Sunderland and I soon liked the look of him."
"He's always wanted to learn and I have to say, over the years I've managed him, he's been a delight," the coach continued.
Special trip to Brighton
Hull ended last season in 18th place and were relegated to the English second division, which is called the Championship.
The Tigers are currently second in the Championship with 10 points, three behind leaders Brighton.
Brighton host Hull on Saturday. The trip will be a special one for Elmohamady who will complete his century of successive league appearances.
Departure reports
Website Sport360 recently claimed the Egyptian could leave Hull City in January amid interest in his services from Premier League clubs Swansea and Leicester City.
"There's a handful of players out of contract and we have to buck that trend."
"If we're guilty of something, it's not offering contracts up too quickly. We wouldn't want to lose him on a free next summer, that's for sure."
"We want Elmo to stay for longer and hopefully we can tie him up," the coach concluded.
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