Portsmouth manager John Mousinho is carefully considering Regan Poole’s return to action, as he looks to avoid risking another serious injury to the key defender.
The defender has had a significant spell on the sidelines and is yet to start a game in the Championship at Fratton Park for Pompey. Mousinho is mindful of balancing Poole’s playing time through a demanding schedule, as Portsmouth face three games in eight days.
Poole’s return to fitness has been a significant boost for Pompey supporters after the Wales international spent nearly 10 months sidelined with a severe knee injury. The 26-year-old ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during a match against Chesterfield in November 2023, but has since made a successful comeback.
Poole made his first appearance since the injury as a second-half substitute in a recent game against West Brom. He then followed it up with a commanding, man-of-the-match display in Portsmouth’s 2-1 defeat at Burnley, providing further reassurance that he is nearing full fitness.
Now, as Portsmouth prepare for their next set of fixtures, Mousinho is weighing the need to manage Poole’s workload. The Blues will face Sheffield United at home, followed by a mid-week away trip to Stoke City and another home game against Oxford United next weekend.
Despite Poole’s eagerness to be fully involved, Mousinho is aware of the need to manage his return carefully, telling The Portsmouth News. “It’s fortunate with Regan we had a free week this week, but we are going to have to monitor it next week with the travel and the games we’ve got. Stoke away on a Wednesday is always going to be interesting, book-ended by two massive home games for us.”
Mousinho is keen to ensure that Poole can reach the upcoming international break without any setbacks, which would allow the defender additional time to rest and recover. “The big thing for Regan is to get through to the international break, where we can give him a bit more time to rest and recuperate. We’ll see how things look from there,” he added.
Poole himself has shown no signs of wanting to ease his way back into the squad. “Regan hasn’t asked for anything. He’s raring to go and has been champing at the bit for a long time to get involved,” said Mousinho. “We’ve probably had to hold him back a little bit to make sure he’s at the levels he was at the weekend.”
Mousinho is clearly pleased with Poole’s progress, noting that the defender’s attitude throughout his rehabilitation has been exemplary. “He’s been brilliant through the rehab and kept himself really positive. We’ve missed him, there’s no doubt about it. Him coming back into the fold with the good performance is no coincidence,” he concluded.
Poole began his professional football career at Newport County, making his debut in 2014 as a 16-year-old. His performances at such a young age quickly drew attention, and he became the youngest player to represent the club at the time. Poole’s impressive form led to a move to Premier League side Manchester United in 2015, where he initially joined the club’s youth setup.
Though he didn’t make a significant breakthrough at Old Trafford, Poole gained valuable experience during loan spells at Northampton Town and Newport County. After leaving Manchester United in 2019, Poole signed with Milton Keynes Dons, where he continued his development. He then moved to Lincoln City in 2021, where his consistent performances earned him a to Pompey, and not long after, a call-up to the Wales national team.
Poole’s return to action at Portsmouth has been eagerly anticipated by fans, and his performances since his comeback have shown why he is such a valuable asset to the team.
Writer’s View
Poole’s return to fitness is undoubtedly a major boost for Portsmouth. His defensive quality, leadership, and resilience will be crucial as the club navigates the busy fixture list ahead. However, John Mousinho is right to be cautious. Rushing Poole back too quickly could result in another injury, which would be a significant setback not just for the player but for Pompey’s ambitions this season.
If Mousinho manages Poole’s recovery carefully, the defender could play a key role in helping Portsmouth push for success. The upcoming international break provides an ideal opportunity to give Poole additional recovery time, and the club must prioritize his long-term fitness over immediate gains. Balancing his playing time over the next three matches will be crucial to ensuring he remains fit for the rest of the season.
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