Hull City: Gutting Liam Millar blow could see £4.5m deal pay off | OneFootball

Millar's season-ending injury firmly opens the door for Abu Kamara

Whilst there were positives for Tim Walter to take following Hull City's 1-1 draw at Derby County on Saturday, on the flipside came a crushing blow.

The revelation that Canadian winger, Liam Millar, would miss the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign after sustaining an ACL injury in last week's draw with Burnley, immediately put a dampener on what had proven to be the latter of two performances that showed plenty of overall promise.

But, the focus now turns to who can step up in his absence, and the spotlight will be turning to another summer addition who has plenty to build on.

Abu Kamara can step up for Hull City after Liam Millar blow

Abu Kamara was acquired on Deadline Day from Championship rivals Norwich City, in a fee which could rise as high as £4.5m if all add-ons and bonuses are met.

As a result of the form showcased by Millar on the left flank and Mohamed Belloumi on the right - Kamara's more natural side - the two-time England U20 international has found himself slightly down the pecking order with three starts in his first six appearances for the Tigers.

This has led to a mixed start in terms of performance levels for the former Portsmouth loanee, who has showcased glimpses of his potential, as well as being a source of frustration - which is a tad harsh so early into his City career - in equal measure.

In defeat to Sheffield United on September 13th, Kamara was shoo-horned onto his less-favoured left side, but was one of the better performers in what was otherwise a grim half of football - winning three of his eight battles on the floor, as well as registering a key pass which was eventually spurned by Marvin Mehlem.

After two non-eventful substitute cameos against Cardiff City and his former club Norwich, Kamara's performance against Sunderland would prove to be his worst in Black and Amber thus far, failing to cause Trai Hume any real problems, before showing signs of improvement against Burnley and Derby County in the Canadian's absence.

Hull were the more dominant of the two sides at Pride Park and will feel somewhat frustrated to have only taken a point for their efforts, with the winger being the standout performer overall.

Kamara was much-more involved with 52 touches of the ball, with a number of those put to great effect with two key passes - in particular, a delightful ball in the early stages of the second half which somehow evaded both Chris Bedia and Belloumi - as well as being much more of a direct threat on the wing when up against Kane Wilson - successfully completing two of his three dribbles.

Abu Kamara will look to haunt his former loan side on Saturday

The spotlight will firmly be on Kamara this weekend too, not just to see how he can build on a bright performance in the East Midlands, but the problems he can cause his former club at the MKM Stadium.

Kamara was one of John Mousinho's key men as Pompey returned to the Championship as League One champions last term - featuring in all 46 league outings whilst accumulating a total of eight goals and ten assists on the opposite flank to what he's become accustomed to under Walter so far.

Portsmouth currently hold the worst defensive record in the league with 25 concessions and have faced a total of 71 shots on target in their opening 12 encounters, meaning that if Kamara can build on his best performance for the Tigers so far, there is the potential for the winger and his attacking colleagues to fill their boots on Saturday afternoon.