Portsmouth boss addresses Luke Le Roux's Fratton Park future after 'tough couple of months'
The South African arrived at Fratton Park from IFK Varnamo in July 2025
John Mousinho insists Luke Le Roux still has a Fratton Park future.
Yet he has challenged the South African international to demonstrate the ‘consistency’ required to cement a place in Pompey’s first-team.
The 25-year-old has struggled to shine since his summer switch from IFK Varnamo, albeit with limited Championship opportunity to date.
Le Roux may have started the Blues’ last two matches, yet he has totalled just 10 outings overall this season, with his international career also suffering as a consequence.
Yet Mousinho was pleased with how the tough-tackling central midfielder performed in Sunday’s 4-1 FA Cup defeat against Arsenal.
And he wants more from the former Swedish top-flight performer.
‘I thought he did pretty well’
He told The News: ‘Absolutely Luke has a future here. He started against Arsenal, so definitely.
‘He was one that we wanted to get into the side (on Sunday) to give us that level of defensive cover in the middle of the pitch and with the ability to get around and execute the press that we wanted him to do.
‘Luke has had a tough couple of months in a Pompey shirt, but he stood toe-to-toe with Arsenal and I didn’t look at that game and think about bringing him off early like we’ve done previously.
‘I thought he did pretty well. When you are talking about improvement, we want to see it on a consistent basis.’
Arrived from Sweden in July 2025
In the aftermath of the midfielder’s exit, they were relegated in October and finished bottom of the Allsvenskan.
Meanwhile, Le Roux has gone on to start just four Championship matches with his new club, while, on occasions, has failed to earn selection to the Blues’ match-day squad.
Indeed, his last two league starts - at Hull and Bristol City - ended with the 25-year-old being withdrawn at half time, although he fared better against Arsenal.
Making his FA Cup debut, Le Roux did battle with Mikel Merino in the central midfield area and lasted until the 62nd minute, before being replaced by Marlon Pack.
Five bookings in 10 games
Against the Gunners, there was also a fifth booking in 10 appearances for the South African, demonstrating his competitiveness operating in a defensive midfield role in Pompey’s starting line-up.
Following the frustrating news that Mark Kosznovszky has been ruled out for the season after sustaining ACL damage to his knee, the first-team door has been opened to Le Roux since the turn of the year.
He subsequently started against Bristol City and then Arsenal, while is in the frame to keep his place at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday amid injury problems piling up for Mousinho.
Meanwhile, Le Roux was overlooked for South Africa’s squad at the Africa Cup of Nations, despite last being involved for his country at the start of September.
The Bafana Bafana will be playing at the World Cup finals this summer, although the Pompey man urgently requires regular games at club level if he is to break back into their set-up.
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