Portsmouth have suffered an injury blow ahead of the new campaign after it was confirmed that young defender Josh Dockerill could face up to nine months on the sidelines, according to the club’s official website.
The 18-year-old is expected to have a big future at Fratton Park and was offered his first professional contract for the club earlier this year. After making his debut last November in the EFL Trophy against Wimbledon, the youngster gained his first taste of senior football when he joined Bognor Regis on loan in March.
Pompey manager John Mousinho was impressed with his short stint in non-league and it had been expected that he would be given an opportunity at the League One club during pre-season ahead of the new campaign.
However, he suffered an injury in the 3-1 friendly win over Gosport Borough earlier this month, with it now confirmed that he has torn his ACL. As a result, Dockerill will now face up to nine months on the injury table.
Speaking to The News, Mousinho said;
“Unfortunately Josh has torn his ACL and has a slight bit of meniscus damage in there as well, so you’re probably looking at nine months.
“It was a slight bit of contact and the way he landed wasn’t ideal. He felt it at the time and heard it go, so it’s sort of what we are expecting, which doesn’t make it any easier.
“We spoke to Josh last Monday and he’s in decent spirits considering. It’s a tough set-back, but he’s going to return, he’s going to be strong, he’s going to be firing.
“Hopefully things will work out long-term, we’ll keep supporting him and try to get him back as fit as soon as possible.
“ACL rehabs are a strange one, you can come back thinking you’re absolutely flying, but it just takes a bit of time for that graft to set in.
“Ronan (Curtis) was talking about being back out on the grass in September, yet by the time the graft properly heals it’s another couple of months on top.
“Josh will most likely miss the season. If we can get him back fit towards the end of the campaign it would be a decent result.”
Writer’s View
Whilst Dockerill may not be a member of the first team squad, John Mousinho has spoken in glowing terms of the youngster in recent months.
Upon his contract offer in May, the manager said that he would be looking to convert him from a central defender to a more traditional number six, believing he has all the attributes to succeed in the middle of the park.
An ACL injury is one of the most heart-breaking in football, but Dockerill is young enough to bounce back and will be hoping that he can continue his rise through the ranks upon his return.
