Portsmouth favourite handed maiden international bow after outstanding Championship emergence

Thomas Waddingham’s outstanding Pompey form has been rewarded with a maiden senior call-up for Australia.

The striker is enjoying a brilliant run in front of goal following his return from injury against Millwall last month.

After missing the opening 10 matches due to an ankle issue sustained against West Ham on the opening day, the 21-year-old has netted two goals in four Championship matches since his return.

Waddingham, of course, grabbed the winner in the huge 2-1 triumph over the Lions, before sealing the Blues’ 3-1 success against Swansea City last week.

With his injury issues now firmly behind him, the frontman’s Fratton Park emergence has been recognised at international level by Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic.

The former Brisbane Roar attacker has been named in the head coach’s senior squad for the first time, with the Aussies set for friendlies against Qatar (November 13) and Jordan (November 17).

While it represents Waddingham’s maiden senior inclusion, he has represented his country seven times at youth level at both U18 and U23.

Now, more than two-and-a-half years after his international appearance, the Pompey man will have the chance to impress on the world stage.

He will be joined by former Fratton Park team-mate Kusini Yengi in the 25-man squad after the striker was handed his first call-up since November 2024.

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Thomas Waddingham’s brilliant Pompey emergence

Following his January 2025 arrival, Waddingham’s game time at Fratton Park has been heavily affected by injury.

After registering five outings during the second half of the 2024-25 campaign, the striker would miss more than seven months of last season due to a quad issue.

An ankle problem sustained on the opening day this season then forced the Aussie to miss the opening 10 matches before completing his return on the bench against Wolves.

His minutes have since been carefully managed, with Waddingham’s involvement coming as a substitute in his four outings, which has seen him score twice.

With Marko Milovanovic and Colby Bishop both sidelined through injury, John Mousinho named Tyrese Shade as his number nine in Saturday’s defeat to Stoke with Waddingham coming on from the bench.

And the head coach explained why the Blues are managing his workload has he targets a return to full fitness.

Speaking to The News ahead of Saturday’s game with Stoke, Mousinho said: ‘I’m not sure if Wadds is ready to start, probably not this weekend (against Stoke). I think the international break will do him good, having another solid block of training, so maybe after that. I don’t think so for Saturday.

‘He’s not quite as big as our other centre-forwards, but he’s still physical. Wadds is about 6ft and can put himself about and the third goal on Tuesday night showed that, where he’s got the wrong side of Ben Cabango - if you are Swansea - and demonstrated that strength.

‘They are traits we’ve seen quite a few times, but that’s one area of Wadds’ game I want to really improve upon.

‘That physicality and making sure he gives defenders a really tough time, holding the ball up with his back to play, because we know he’s very, very good technically and very good around the box. If you can improve his all-round game then you’ve got half a chance.

‘I think the others have been pretty good over the years. Colby has a huge amount of goals doing very similar things, Marko can definitely do that, Tyrese as well, but Wadds did it and is the one with the goal, so fair play to him.’

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