Steve Bruce believes Hull's promotion prospects rest with what happens to his loan stars.
The Tigers moved level on points with npower Championship leaders Cardiff after beating Derby 2-1 at Pride Park.
Goalkeeper David Stockdale returned to Fulham this week and playmaker David Meyler will now go back to Sunderland.
Manchester United duo Ben Amos and Robbie Brady and Sunderland's Ahmed Elmohamady remain with the Tigers until the new year.
Bruce hopes he can keep them all at the KC Stadium until at least the end of the campaign as he sees them as pivotal to the Tigers' chances of returning to the Barclays Premier League.
"I don't want to have to make too many changes to the squad so I hope we can keep them," said Bruce.
"I want to keep them all. Hopefully we can keep the group together and secure the loan deals until the end of the season, or even make some of them permanent.
"But it's a difficult time in January so we will have to wait and see."
On joining Cardiff at the top of the table, the former Manchester United captain said: "There's a long way to go but we're doing well.
"We were 33/1 (for promotion) at the start of the season so we've come under the radar a bit, which is what I wanted.
"Hopefully we can keep it going but, as I say, much will depend on what happens with the loan players.
"This was our fourth straight away win and to win four on the road in this league at this time of the year is terrific."
Abdoulaye Faye marked his return to the Hull side with the winning goal.
The big defender headed home early in the second half as victory at Pride Park for the third successive season saw Bruce's team climb up to second place in the table ahead of tomorrow's fixtures.
Robert Koren put the visitors in front but Michael Jacobs levelled things up on the stroke of half-time with his first goal for Derby.
Rams boss Nigel Clough remained upbeat despite the defeat and was pleased with many aspects of his side's play, particularly the performance of goalscorer Jacobs.
He said: "We're delighted with it (the display) again, we can't ask for any more effort from the players.
"It's not just effort as well, they are playing some great stuff at times.
"It was a great goal from Michael, he took it very well. He's coming along nicely and improving and he's getting used to Championship football having made the step up from League Two with Northampton.
"He looked a threat when he was on the pitch and it's good to see him grow, along with the other young players like Jeff Hendrick and Will Hughes. Hopefully they will continue to grow together.
"Hull will be right up there come the end of the season and that's why we are so pleased with how we played against them, there was nothing between the two teams tonight."
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