When we have been talking about the way to introduce more pace and creativity into the side down the flanks, plenty of people have talked up the possibility of Diomansy Kamara returning from injury to add both those qualities and a goal threat down the left hand side. It’s easy to forget that Kamara’s return to the side after the African Nations Cup coincided with the run of form that dragged us towards safety last year. Few will forget that crucial winner at Manchester City that gave the Great Escape real momentum on a day that could have seen us relegated.
Any plans to use Joe on the left will have to be put on hold for a while, though, after he developed more pain and swelling on the knee that he had injured on international duty with Senegal over the summer. He has had to have a second operation and won’t be ready for a return to the first team until at least February.
Perhaps that would make a bid for Joe Ledley – or another winger/wide midfielder – more likely come the January window.
People also forget that Kamara was brilliant when he came off the bench against Aston Villa at home last season. I was surprised when Roy put him on the right of midfield but it was his surging run that won the free-kick which Bullard so memorably curled into the net.
I was looking forward to seeing him return so the injury setback is a real blow. I definitely think we’ll have to look to the transfer market for some options in the wide areas now.
Real shame about Kamara because I think he’s got pace and skill to be a real threat wherever he plays. I’ll never forget that afternoon at City because we looked dead and buried until deep into the second half when he sparked us into life. Those 20 minutes were well worth £6m I don’t care what anyone says.