Manager wary of rushing knee-injured defender back into action
Portsmouth’s hopes of a prompt return for long-serving left-back Connor Ogilvie have been put on hold after the player, who underwent a knee operation in July, has yet to resume training and continues to feel "a bit of pain" in the knee, manager John Mousinho has said.
Mousinho told The News the club are deliberately taking a cautious approach and will not set a target comeback match for Ogilvie. "We’re not rushing him and aren’t pinpointing any return match for Connor at the moment," he said.
"Connor's not back training yet, he has experienced a bit of pain in his knee so we are putting the brakes on that one at the moment."
The news leaves Pompey with a reduced certainty at left-back as they assess short-term options. Zak Swanson has started the opening two fixtures of the season at left-back, a position he performed in during parts of last season. However, Swanson himself is only recently returned from knee surgery in March and, crucially, has not yet completed a full 90 minutes since his recovery.
Squad depth and alternatives under scrutiny
With Ogilvie's comeback date unclear, Mousinho outlined the players who could form the club’s full-back group when everyone is fit: Ogilvie, Swanson and Terry Devlin. He reflected on last season when the squad included five players in that area, naming Farrell, Connor, Swanny, Terry and Willo as the wider group of full-backs available.
For the immediate fixtures, the club also have two less conventional options within the first-team squad: first-year professional Nathaniel Chioma and central midfielder Odin Bailey, the latter of whom briefly deputised at left-back during a match against SV Darmstadt.
- Connor Ogilvie — knee operation in July; not training; experiencing pain.
- Zak Swanson — started the opening two matches; recently returned from knee surgery (March); not yet completed 90 minutes.
- Other squad options — Nathaniel Chioma and Odin Bailey have provided emergency cover.
Mousinho also confirmed the club remain active in the market to add another left-back, underlining the importance of cover in that role while fitness issues persist.
Immediate implications for team selection and fans
The cautious approach signals that Pompey are prioritising long-term fitness over a short-term boost. That will shape selection choices in the coming weeks and may influence the club’s transfer activity as they seek reliable options to cover the left-back position.
For supporters, the absence of an established and experienced player such as Ogilvie removes a known quantity from the side and places pressure on a young squad member in Swanson, who is still rebuilding match sharpness. The presence of internal makeshift solutions — including a midfielder drafted to defence — suggests the club will balance match-day needs with careful management of players returning from injury.
Managerial comments indicate no sudden timetable will be imposed on Ogilvie’s recovery. That leaves Pompey reliant on the fitness of Swanson and the adaptability of the current squad while potential recruitment is explored.
| Player | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Connor Ogilvie | Recovering | Knee operation in July; not back in training; experiencing pain |
| Zak Swanson | Playing | Started first two matches; recent return from March knee surgery; not yet completed 90 minutes |
| Nathaniel Chioma | Squad option | First-year professional, cover option |
| Odin Bailey | Squad option | Central midfielder; briefly used at left-back vs SV Darmstadt |
How the club addresses the gap will be watched closely by fans in Portsmouth. A new signing would offer immediate relief, but the manager’s insistence on not rushing Ogilvie suggests any decision will also factor long-term fitness into account.
