Hull City manager Steve Bruce reported that Ahmed Elmohamady could possibly play a crucial role in Hull City's final push for English Premier League promotion, while maintaining he is not quite sure whether the Egyptian would remain at the club beyond the current season.

"I would think it's 50-50 (whether Elmohamady will remain with City next season)," ex-Manchester United center-back Bruce told Hull Daily Mail.

"It hasn't quite happened for Elmo this season. He hasn't quite hit the heights of the last few seasons, but he's had a bit of competition this year with the arrival of (Robert) Snodgrass."

Elmohamady, who initially joined Hull on loan in the summer of 2012 before becoming a permanent member of the team a year later, did not enjoy the best of seasons this year with the Championship side, having started just six of the last 19 league games.

However, an impressive display in a recent 1-0 defeat at relegated side Bolton seemed to have encouraged Bruce to give his right wing-back more playing time as Hull approach the decisive stages of the season.

"At Bolton he played very well, very well. The number of crosses he put into the box, especially in the first half, was a bit more like it from him," Bruce said. "It's fair to say it's not been his best season here but with his experience and his know-how for these games coming up, that might just stand him in good stead."

The outcome of the rest of the season itself could also put Elmohamady in the club's crosshairs, Bruce pointed out.

"Of course, if we're in this league next season, we're in no position to offer Elmo the contract that he wants," the manager said, adding, "If you stay in the Championship for another year, ultimately you have to cut your cloth accordingly."

Elmo, 28, has been an integral member of Hull's squad ever since helping the club seal Premier League promotion three years ago.

The ex-ENPPI man is understood to be keen on returning to the English top-flight, as a failure to seal promotion could well see him head out of KCOM Stadium.

Hull, currently fourth of the table, eight points behind third-placed Brighton and Hove Albion, conclude their season by hosting Rotherham United, before taking on fifth-placed Derby County in a crucial two-legged showdown a week later.

Elmohamady kicked off his overseas career in 2010, joining Sunderland on loan from ENPPI before signing a permanent deal with the English side the following season.

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