Lewis Koumas has one final game to play this season, and it will determine if his loan club return to the Premier League in 2026/27.
After starting the season on loan at Birmingham City, a switch midway through the campaign has led to a playoff final at Wembley for Koumas with Hull City.
The striker has predominantly been used off the bench for the Yorkshire outfit, but he has been used 19 times from a possible 21 Championship games, while scoring three goals.
His involvement during the playoff semi-finals against Millwall was limited to only six minutes and six touches in the decisive second leg, but he did create one big chance and have a shot on target.
It means the Liverpool loanee is set to be involved at Wembley after Hull managed a 2-0 win at Millwall earlier in the week after a goalless draw in the first leg, setting up a playoff final against Southampton on May 23.
The Saints, who were relegated last season after finishing last with only 12 points, inflicted a 2-1 defeat on Middlesbrough in extra time of their semi-final on Tuesday.
Their immediate future is uncertain, however, amid the spygate drama that is being investigated by an independent commission.
Spygate: Why are Southampton under investigation?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 23, 2025: Liverpool's Giovanni Leoni pulls on Southampton Joshua Quarshie's shirt whilst challenged by Southampton’s Ronnie Edwards during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Southampton‘s victory has come under controversial circumstances after Middlesbrough alleged an individual associated with the Saints was caught filming training sessions against the rules.
After Leeds‘ spygate in 2019, clubs are now not entitled to observe, or attempt to observe, another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match.
The EFL subsequently charged Southampton with a breach of regulations, with the matter handed over to an Independent Disciplinary Commission.
A response is typically required within 14 days, but due to the playoffs, there is a need for it to be expedited.
Sky Sports report that “it is possible that Southampton could be thrown out of the Championship play-offs” if the charge is upheld, but any sporting sanction could also be carried over to next season.
Effectively, they could dismiss the charge, hand out a fine, or impose a sporting sanction, but those involved in the playoffs want the matter to be handled quickly ahead of the May 23 final.
Hull were last in the Premier League in 2016/17, with their relegation leading to Andy Robertson‘s arrival at Anfield.