Door remains fully open for Hull City man amid World Cup dreams, says Tigers chief

Callum Elder can have a long-term future at Hull City, despite growing interest in the Australian international. That's according to Tigers vice-chairman Tan Kesler, who says the left-back remains one of the dressing room's big leaders and is keen for him to remain beyond next summer.

Elder's immediate future at the club appears to be a positive one having impressed during pre-season and given the nod over Brandon Fleming to start Saturday night's 3-1 victory over Malaga at the Marbella Football Centre in the Costa del Sol, playing the ball in for Alfie Jones to nod in the second goal.

Kesler activated the 27-year-old's option year at the end of last season, has challenged Elder to continue his impressive summer, and force him to offer him improved terms, while at the same time boost his chances of earning a place in the Socceroos squad at the World Cup in Qatar this winter.

"Why not," Kesler said when asked by Hull Live if the ex-Leicester City man has a future at the MKM Stadium.

"If he didn’t have a long-term future I wouldn’t have activated his contract - even though it’s a one-year contract and it may seem like it. Contracts can be negotiated at any time.

"He’s one of the leaders of the team and he needs to go to the World Cup. I want to see him in the next four months and I’ll happily go back and financially shoot myself in the foot and give him a better contract.

"I don’t want to take away the competition because Brandon has developed and improved so much. At least we have competition in the left-back position."

City are also considering a number of offers for their young players, and are likely to move some of them out on loan for the season, just as they have done with great success previously.

Harvey