Portsmouth poised to field fifth different left-back in pre-season - and it's very, very good news
The Blues have named four different left-backs in three pre-season friendlies so far
Pompey are poised to turn to a fifth different left-back this pre-season as the search for Connor Ogilvie’s stand-in continues.
Although the Fratton faithful will be delighted to learn that the latest incumbent is set to be Zak Swanson.
John Mousinho has pencilled in the former Arsenal man to feature against Wycombe on Saturday (4pm), representing a recovery well ahead of schedule.
Earlier this month, Pompey’s head coach revealed Swanson would miss the start of the season while continuing rehabilitation following knee surgery in April.
Yet the versatile full-back remained determined to ‘push the boundaries’ and, during an interview with The News in Fota Island, set his own comeback target for the ‘back end’ of the friendly programme.
Surprise potential return against Wycombe
Sure enough, with the 25-year-old expected to begin full training this week, Mousinho has now raised the possibility of a surprise substitute outing at Adams Park.
And with Ibane Bowat, Nathaniel Chioma, Jordan Williams and Arvin Appiah having already featured at left-back over the three previous games, there could well be the welcome sight of Swanson being introduced.
Mousinho told The News: ‘I expect to have Ebou and Swanny available to play some part against Wycombe.
‘It’s okay, we're not in a massive rush to strengthen left-back because Swanny can cover there, Willo can cover there, so we’ve got players who can do it. Also Connor Ogilvie has obviously played a huge amount of games for us.
‘So that’s not an area I think we are massively weak at the moment, I think there are others we are prioritising.’
With Ogilvie missing the season’s August 8 kick-off at West Ham in the Carabao Cup, the Blues have been looking at potential replacements.
Arvin Appiah on trial
The search has seen them scour the transfer market - as well as explore free agent lists - with ex-Nottingham Forest man Appiah arriving at the end of last week on trial.
He subsequently played 40 minutes in the second half of last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers, initially at left-back before being moved onto the left wing.
Williams started at left-back against the League Two side, impressing during his 45 minutes in the role, before switching to right-back to accommodate Appiah.
However, Chioma and Bowat have largely been the regular choices in the role over pre-season, with the duo featuring in each of the three friendlies.
Chioma, who was handed a first-year professional deal after graduating from the Academy at the end of last season, started the second half against Woking and the first half at Aldershot.
On each occasion, he shared duties with Bowat, who started at left-back in the Championship against Birmingham in November 2025, as well as several substitute outings in the same position.
The duo would also be utilised in the second half of the Bristol Rovers draw, albeit Chioma in a four-minute cameo on the left wing.
Now Swanson, who enjoyed the best season of his Pompey career last term while featuring primarily at left-back, could be back involved on Saturday at Wycombe.
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