HARRY REDKNAPP hailed his Portsmouth goal hero Diomansy Kamara - then claimed to be in the dark about the player's Fratton Park future.
Kamara, pictured above, hit a brilliant solo effort against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium which was later cancelled out by Stewart Downing in a 1-1 Barclays Premiership draw. Pompey announced Kamara as a £2.3million record club signing on a three-year deal from Modena in the summer.
But Redknapp appeared to cast doubt on his player's status by saying: "I hope we can keep him at the end of the season.''
Pressed on Kamara's position at the club Redknapp shocked with the admission: "I don't know if he is a loan or a permanent signing.
"I must have been away that day, I'm not sure. I think if we haven't signed him we'd like to keep him for sure.''
Kamara's first Premiership goal was the highlight of a battling Pompey performance which pleased Redknapp.
He added: "Diomansy got a good goal and with a bit of luck he could have had another and then it would have been game over.
"When you're one up with 15 minutes to go you think about winning but if you let one in your attitude changes.
"I'd be a liar to say I wouldn't have settled for a point before the match. Anything you get out of games like this is a bonus and it was a good point.''
Redknapp went on to praise goalkeeper Shaka Hislop for a superb late save when he tipped Mark Viduka's point-blank header against a post.
Redknapp added: "Shaka made a good save in the end from Viduka and it means we've made a good, solid and decent start this season.''
Boro boss Steve McClaren admitted his disappointment that his side failed to take their chances to claim three points.
McClaren said: "We should have won the game because we controlled it and I can't remember how many chances we had.
"On another day we would have scored three or four but we just lacked that little bit of cutting edge up front.
"But we showed great patience and found a way through, and but for Hislop saving from Viduka we'd have won the game which I thought we deserved to do.''
McClaren hopes for good news on midfielder Gaizka Mendieta, who was stretchered off in the first half.
Mendieta's injury seemed serious but scans today are expected to reveal only a twisted knee.
McClaren added: "It was a shame about Mendieta because he was causing them problems and he was being inventive.
"This team can only get better because we've got players still to come back and Viduka, who will get better and sharper the more he plays.''
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article