What Portsmouth have told Jacob Farrell about his Fratton future
Jacob Farrell is finally getting the minutes he’s failed to find in 18 months of wretched Pompey injury woe - now he discusses what the Blues have told him and his Fratton plans moving forward.
Jacob Farrell is intending to return to Pompey next season to fight for his Fratton future.
And the Aussie defender revealed the Blues told him to focus on gaining the minutes he’s missed, while building his return from a wretched 18 months of injury woe ahead of next term.
Farrell on Pompey future: ‘Go back and fight for my spot’
Farrell is continuing to find the playing time he’s not had for two seasons, after agreeing a loan move to A-League outfit Western Sydney Wanderers last month.
The 23-year-old has now made four appearances for his temporary outfit, with a 45-minute debut outing followed by three full games over the past few weeks.
That’s more than the 187 minutes of football Farrell has seen in the entirety of his time at Pompey, following his arrival on a four-year deal from Central Coast Mariners in July 2024.
Farrell was hindered by a knee issue shortly after joining Pompey and underwent surgery, with a groin injury halting his progress this term.
Now the defender is building some momentum, with his personal aim to return to Fratton Park in the summer and show he can make the grade in the Championship.
Speaking to Western Sydney Wanderers’ official website, Farrell said: ‘It’s good to be back playing again.
‘I haven’t played too much football recently, so I’m just happy to be back out on the field. I’m just happy to be playing.
‘They (Pompey) just want to get me minutes and that was hard for that to happen there, with injuries and the tough schedule.
‘So they’ve just told me to come here, get some minutes and hopefully go back there next pre-season ready to fight for my spot.’
What picture looks like for rest of Farrell’s season
Farrell’s position since returning to Australia may raise a few eyebrows among Pompey fans, with three of his four appearances for the Wanderers coming as a central defender.
After helping them to a 1-1 draw against Melbourne City from left-back on his bow, the Gosford man was shifted into the middle of the back line for a 2-2 draw with Wellington Phoenix and 3-2 reverse against Central Coast Mariners.
There was a big 4-0 win against Macarthur last time out, one which helped his side off the foot of the A-League table.
There is now seven games of the regular season remaining for Western Sydney Wanderers, with Gary van Egmond’s side needing to bridge the six-point gap to sixth place to extend their campaign into the finals series.
Four teams then take part in an elimination round to face first and second place in the semi-finals. The winners of those games meet in the Grand Final, as they bid to become A-League champions.