Sixteen months after leaving Hull City to join Derby County and their successful assault on the Championship Play-Offs, Craig returned to the Tigers ranks on a loan move in March 2008 and repeated the feat as City gained promotion to the top flight for the first time with the unforgettable Final win against Bristol City at Wembley.

Although a niggling knee injury hampered Craig's attempts to recapture his best form, as ever, the right-sided midfielder or forward continued to give 100% commitment to the Tigers cause.

Indeed, during his Derby sojourn, he notably sat amongst the Tigers' travelling support when attending our win at Wolverhampton Wanderers in September.

His permanent returned was confirmed in July 2008 with a three-year contract and a £750,000 fee - the same figure that had taken him to Pride Park.

With the Tigers mounting a sustained challenge for promotion, Craig's initial introduction to the City roster came in unusual circumstances.

He was due to be in the Colchester United team that visited the KC Stadium on 26 February 2005. However, it was announced on the morning of the League One game that an undisclosed six-figure fee had secured the services of the former Birmingham City forward.

Born in Birmingham, his four substitute appearances for his home town Blues included a Premiership outing against Southampton in December 2002.

It was at Colchester where his career blossomed though and Craig left Layer Road with a glowing tribute from his then Us boss and later City chief, Phil Parkinson: "Craig is a very special talent. He has pace and athleticism and I believe that he has the ability to play at the highest level."

Craig proved to be the final piece of the Tigers promotion jigsaw. He made an immediate impact by scoring only nine minutes after coming on for his debut in the crucial 3-1 win at Tranmere Rovers and soon became a key figure.

His superb performance as a lone striker in the fine 2-0 victory at Bradford City in April especially caught the eye of the 6,000 travelling supporters.

His wholehearted efforts may not have been reflected in his goals tally in City's first season and a half in the Championship but he certainly provided more than his fair share of assists.

A broken leg suffered in the early season victory at Newcastle hampered his third crack at life in the top flight, but since his return he has been a constant nuisance to opposition defences and he scored his first Premier League goal against Manchester City on Boxing Day.