Latest on £1m midfielder Portsmouth have been 'highly satisfied with'
Hungarian midfielder Mark Kosznovszky remains out of action after suffering ACL and MCL damage against Charlton Athletic in December.
Injured Mark Kosznovszky remains on course to make his Pompey return by the end of the year.
The player’s agent, Gábor Kulcsár, has provided an update on the midfielder who suffered both ACL and MCL injuries during the Blues’ 2-1 victory against Charlton on December 29.
That forced the Hungarian to sit out the second half of Pompey’s 2025-26 campaign and play no part in the team’s successful bid to stave off the threat of relegation over the course of the season’s run-in.
It also saw the £1m signing from MTK Budapest finish his maiden season at Fratton Park on 16 appearances, with surgery required on the ACL injury in February.
Pompey boss John Mousinho initially earmarked a November/December return date for the 24-year-old, who made six league starts for the Blues before his season came to a dramatic end.
Kulcsár has said that remains the case three months on from Kosznovszky’s operation.
He also revealed the midfielder’s mentality has been strong throughout the setback and that the Hungarian remained focused on the long-term objectives and key performance indicators that has been identified for him upon his Fratton Park arrival last July.
Sharing his thought’s on Kosznovszky’s first year in English football via linkedin, Kulcsár said: The story continues, with Márk expected to return to the pitch towards the end of 2026.
‘The coaching staff and the club have been highly satisfied with both his mentality and performances throughout the season.
‘Before the season started, we set clear objectives supported by measurable performance indicators, and until the injury he was progressing strongly towards those targets.
‘Márk adapted quickly to the physical intensity of Championship football and consistently delivered strong physical and competitive performances.
‘Injuries are part of professional football, and Márk is already fully focused on his recovery process in order to return by the end of 2026, re-establish himself as an important player for Portsmouth FC, and achieve the long-term objectives set together with the club.
‘Alongside this, earning a call-up to the Hungarian National Team remains an important long-term goal.
‘We are confident that with this mentality, humility and work ethic, every objective we have set together can be achieved. We keep working.’
Pompey’s midfield and what Kosznovszky can expect on his return
Kosznovszky will find competition for places in Pompey’s midfield a lot different when he eventually makes his return from injury.
The Blues’ engine room is a department the club will look to strengthen during the summer transfer window, something that had been earmarked long before Andre Dozzell rejected the offer of a new contract to link up with MLS side DC United on a free transfer.
Marlon Pack’s decision to extend his Fratton Park stay into a fifth year, plus Luke Le Roux looking likely to remain at PO4, means Pompey’s midfield will have some continuity.
But with a front-line player wanted to play alongside January arrival Ebou Adams, and extra depth needed, competition for places is expected to intensify ahead of the 2025-26 season.
The Blues remain interested in Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Svante Ingellson, but Stoke City took favourites to sign the Swede.
For your next Pompey read: ‘We want to stop’: Portsmouth chief sets out clear plan to break 'vicious' injury cycle