John Mousinho has backed Abu Kamara to continue his progress after another impressive display for Portsmouth in their push for promotion to the Championship. 

The on-loan Norwich City winger recorded a hat-trick of assists as Pompey beat struggling Reading 4-1 at Fratton Park on Saturday to help them extend their gap to third-placed Bolton to nine points. 

Kamara teed up goals for Paddy Lane, Marlon Pack and Callum Lang in the victory to make it six wins in seven for Mousinho's side in the third tier. 

The 20-year-old attacker has now scored six and assisted eight in 34 league matches since joining the south coast on loan, becoming popular with supporters in the process. 

It's understood that Norwich intend for Kamara to return to Carrow Road in the summer to form part of their first-team squad, providing he can impress suitably in pre-season. 

But first, he has a job to do at Portsmouth to help secure their return to the Championship. They top the table with 12 games remaining. 

Mousinho was full of praise for the Norwich man after their emphatic victory on Saturday, believing that there is more improvement to come from him before the end of the season. 

"Abs is a player we’ve been excited about having this season. He’s been excellent every single game he’s played," Mousinho told Portsmouth News. 

"When he adds that composure, because he’s got the quality, he’s a fantastic player. One of my things with Abs is that he stays positive and keeps getting at his player. If he’s not having the best day he still needs to do it again, again and again.

The Pink Un: Abu Kamara takes the acclaim during Portsmouth's 4-1 win over Reading.Abu Kamara takes the acclaim during Portsmouth's 4-1 win over Reading. (Image: PA Images)

"If you look at the game Tuesday, he didn’t have a huge amount of joy until the second half when the game opened up. He then ends up getting the goal.

"That’s Abs, he has masses of quality and if he keeps doing what he’s doing I think he’s going to end up going beyond this level."

Kamara's performance was made more impressive by the fact he suffered a knock in the first half, but the Portsmouth chief was confident it wouldn't have a lasting impact on the attacker. 

"He took a knock in the first half on his ankle, but strapped it up and got on with it," Mousinho said. "There’s a cut, but as you may have seen it didn’t seem to affect his performance!"