BREAKING NEWS: Two Portsmouth players that could leave on loan before August 30th deadline
Pompey’s League One victory last season may have overshadowed the fact that the team struggled with significant injuries throughout the campaign.
Key players like Regan Poole and Alex Robertson were sidelined with long-term injuries; Poole, in particular, is still recovering from a knee injury that has kept him out since early November.
The injury woes have persisted into pre-season, creating a challenging situation for John Mousinho and his staff. Both Tom McIntyre and new signing Jacob Farrell are set to miss the league opener against Leeds United. However, there is a positive note as Josh Murphy is expected to be fit for the match.
Several positions in the Fratton Park squad are currently stretched thin, making every available player crucial, and reducing the need for outgoing transfers.
Despite the ongoing fitness issues, a couple of players could still be sent out on loan. One of them is Harry Clout, who impressed Pompey fans with his performances off the bench during pre-season. In the match against Havant & Waterlooville, Mousinho praised the second-year scholar for his efforts, saying, “Harry caused Havant a lot of problems, and it was really pleasing to give him some game time. He’s looked athletic, direct, and has shown good technical ability when on the ball.”
Terry Devlin, a 20-year-old central midfielder, was used sparingly during Pompey’s promotion-winning season, occasionally filling in at right-back to demonstrate his versatility. Given that Devlin has two years left on his contract, Portsmouth should consider loaning him out for the season, allowing him to gain valuable playing time without the risk of losing him soon after his return.
Although Devlin might see more minutes due to Pompey’s current injury situation, his opportunities could diminish once his teammates return. In that case, a loan move later in the transfer window could significantly benefit his development for the 2024-25 season.
