Portsmouth upbeat about Abu Kamara's return prospects

The Canaries academy product impressed during a season-long loan at Fratton Park last term, playing a key role in John Mousinho's side's charge to the League One title. 

Kamara was ever-present during their successful campaign last season and was serenaded with chants of 'sign him up' from the Pompey faithful after their promotion back to the Championship was confirmed. 

He recorded 21 goal contributions in 52 appearances in all competitions, far exceeding the expectations both clubs set for him during his first season in professional football. Kamara's performances have led other clubs to scout him. 

Norwich are planning to utilise the 20-year-old in Johannes Hoff Thorup's first-team squad next season as they seek to integrate younger players into their side. Kamara was identified as someone the Dane could work with long before he arrived in Norfolk. 

There have also been links to Belgian side Anderlecht with Kamara entering the final 12 months of his deal at Carrow Road, although City possess a year option in their favour. 

Despite the noise around Kamara indicating a role in Thorup's first team, Pompey's sporting director Rich Hughes has elected to remain upbeat about the prospect of a potential return for Kamara this summer - in whatever form that takes if it were to arise. 

"We would never want to rule that out because if we could find a scenario to bring Abu back, we’d absolutely love to," Hughes told the Portsmouth News. 

"The truth is he exceeded a lot of expectations and performed to a really high level last season, which personally puts him into a really strong position.

Johannes Hoff Thorup and Ben Knapper want to integrate more youth into Norwich City's first team. (Image: Denise Bradley/ Newsquest)

"We’ll just have to see how his pre-season (with Norwich) pans out and stay close to it and stay close to all the conversations.

"It’s going to be very difficult based on the success he’s had, but I wouldn’t dismiss it out of hand at this point.

"If there was an opportunity where the player became available, considering how he enjoyed working with the group of players and the coaching staff and being at the club, I think that would be an attractive option for him, if something came up again."