HULL City boss Liam Rosenior pulled his former teammate Chuba Akpom to one side after his team's defeat to Middlesbrough and told him of his delight at the striker's incredible form this season.

Rosenior was a senior player at Brighton when Akpom had a loan spell with the Seagulls in the second half of their promotion winning 2016/17 season.

Akpom was a fringe player and failed to score at Albion but Rosenior saw glimpses of what the frontman was capable of and is thrilled to see how's now "fulfilling his potential" at Middlesbrough - who he predicts will go on to win promotion this season.

Akpom hit his 28th league goal of the season and broke a Championship record by becoming the first ever player to score in nine consecutive home games as Boro came from behind to beat Rosenior's City on Wednesday night.

"I played with Chuba at Brighton and he always had the potential and he's a lovely lad," said Rosenior.

"I said to him after the game I'm really happy for him, not today but overall because he's fulfilling his potential.

"Sometimes strikers just need time. I worked with Glenn Murray, Brian McBride, Bobby Zamora, older strikers but they learn their trade as they go. Chuba is now coming to that age where he's starting to get the pictures and understand where to be in the box.

"I've seen him score goals and headers in the middle of the box that I've not seen him score before. It's just a natural progression for players. I'm delighted for him and I think Middlesbrough will get promoted this season.

"There's a really nice blend here. I look at Jonny Howson playing at centre-back at the end like he's been playing there for years. We miss a little bit of that in our team. We miss a little bit of that key experience."

READ MORE:

Akpom wasn't the only player Rosenior picked out for praise as the Hull boss waxed lyrical about Michael Carrick and Boro.

"They're a very, very good team," he said.

"A very good team with outstanding individual players - Cameron Archer, Akpom. If you can bring on Isaiah Jones...

"We worked on our concentration and moments. Even in the first 10 minutes of the second half I felt so in control, then we conceded three goals. As disappointed as I am with the result and 15 minutes of the second half, I can stand on the touchline and be proud of that group.

"We have one of the youngest squads in the league so we're going to make mistakes. You need characters who understand the game who have been to places like this. The fans were magnificent here at 1-1.

"I don't want to be disrespectful to Michael but if Cameron Archer or Chuba Akpom are on the end of those first half chances for us, it might be a different outcome.

"Michael has done a magnificent job. I love the way they play. It was an outstanding football match for the Championship. Two teams trying to play what I think is the right way. He has players that can make the difference, I have three strikers at home watching the game on Sky.

"Michael is someone I've looked upto. He was an outstanding player and I think you saw two young English coaches who aren't the stereotypical English coaches trying to play football in a certain style. I was proud to be on the touchline.

"And I have to say, I thought Middlesbrough's goals, the first one was a great move. Great cross, he picks him out and it's a great finish. The second we're really disappointed with as a group because it's a long ball from the goalkeeper. We actually wanted Steffen to kick the ball forward, he does and it ends up with Cameron Archer does what he does best.

"Chuba (for the third), it's a fantastic strike, Karl (Darlow) has no chance. It's disappointing because we know this team have moments of real quality and we didn't get quite there in terms of stopping that."