Exclusive:Portsmouth still hopeful as John Mousinho delivers update on Harvey Blair's Fratton Park future
The former Liverpool man has made 29 appearances since joining in August 2024
John Mousinho insists Pompey are ‘open to all options’ over Harvey Blair as work continues to potentially offload him.
While Jacob Farrell has sealed his anticipated return to the A-League with a loan switch to Sydney FC, the Blues are rapidly running out of possible destinations for Blair.
Transfer windows are continuing to shut across the globe, including in Poland, where Widzew Lodz had previously shown interest in a deal for the 22-year-old.
In the meantime, Blair remains in limbo, after not being registered in Pompey’s Football League squad, while having another 12 months still remaining on his Fratton Park contract.
The winger was also an absentee from this afternoon’s team photo, which was taken at Fratton Park.
And Pompey are still hoping of engineering an exit for the out-of-favour Blair.
‘We are seeing what comes up’
Mousinho told The News: ‘I’m not sure if Harvey was in the team photo or not.
‘But that wouldn’t have been anything to do with squad selection, I think he may have missed it with illness.
‘Harvey is still around, we are open to all options with Harvey at the moment. We are seeing what comes up.
‘He’s okay, Harvey obviously wants to play and I obviously put energy and effort into all the players. At the minute, though, my focus is on Blackburn.’
Keshi Anderson boost
In terms of wingers, Mousinho continues to have options, irrespective of overlooking Blair for team selection at present.
However, the former Birmingham man is not being considered for Blackburn on Saturday, with Pompey instead keen to give him more training time during the international break before throwing him back into first-team action.
Tyrese Shade, Abu Kamara and Ryan Kavuma-McQueen are challenging for starting spots against Blackburn, while Josh Murphy is expected to return in four weeks.
Meanwhile, Luke Brooke-Smith underwent an operation on his fractured ankle and broken fibula yesterday, although Pompey expect him to be back in action this season.
In terms of Blair, despite his exclusion there remain three vacancies in Pompey’s 25-man Football League squad at present.
Anderson, Murphy and Connor Ogilvie are pencilled in to fill them once they have convinced Mousinho of their fitness, although, in theory, Blair could also claim a spot should there be any injury set-backs, particularly to wingers.
The former Liverpool man has made 29 appearances since moving from the Premier League giants in August 2024, last featuring off the bench in last month’s 2-1 defeat at Bristol City.
Your Next Pompey Read: Portsmouth summer signing reportedly rejects international call-up for Nations League duty