KEI KAMARA admits he has been frustrated at his lack of starts in recent weeks, but the Middlesbrough striker remains confident he will get a chance to prove himself soon.

Kamara, who was an unused substitute as Boro won at Brighton at the weekend, has made just three starts since completing his recovery from a serious knee injury in the middle of January.

During his time on the sidelines, Boro signed Danny Graham on loan from Sunderland and recruited Lee Tomlin on a permanent basis from Peterborough.

The duo have both leapfrogged Kamara in the pecking order, but the Sierra Leone international is ready to make an impact if he is called upon in the final seven games of the season.

“It’s been really tough,” said Kamara. “But I’m staying positive and knowing I’m going to get back in to change things.

“It’s been a tough road coming back (from injury). I haven’t been on the pitch as much as I would want to. I’ve been ready for the last few weeks, but I can’t just put myself in there.”

Kamara moved to Teesside from MLS side Sporting Kansas City last September, and has scored four goals in his 25 Championship appearances.

The early months of his Boro career were the most productive, and he admits that the packed fixture list has been the biggest change between life in the Championship and a footballing career in the United States.

“There’s so many games that you have to play here,” he said, in an online video package with Kick TV. “Sometimes, you are playing three games in eight days.

“It’s very competitive, and Middlesbrough is a very big name because of what they have done before in the Premier League and Europe. People still want to get back up there, but it doesn’t happen that quick.”

Meanwhile, winger Cameron Park has returned to Middlesbrough after a brief loan spell at Crewe Alexandra. Park made four appearances for the League One club.