'It would be a bit naive': John Mousinho on Portsmouth playing position which must be strengthened
Connor Ogilvie has missed Pompey’s last six matches through a knee ligament injury
Pompey are looking at recruiting a new left-back next month, irrespective of Connor Ogilvie’s expected return.
That’s the admission of John Mousinho, who believes the Blues would ‘be a bit naive’ if they weren’t scouring the transfer market for an addition in that area.
Ogilvie is pencilled in to be back from his knee ligament injury at the end of January, having been sidelined for the last six matches.
As for Jacob Farrell, the Australian is still on a modified training programme as he recovers from a long-term groin issue. Ominously, Pompey are not putting a timescale on his potential return.
In the meantime, Zak Swanson and Jordan Williams have been sharing left-back duties since the start of last month, with a decent amount of success.
Although, as with Cohen Bramall last season, the Blues are on the hunt to bolster that position in the January transfer window.
Portsmouth boss: We definitely have our eye on that position
Mousinho told The News: ‘It will probably be the back end of January for Connor. It might be a position we look at, we’ll see how Connor returns, but I think we’d be a bit naive if we weren’t looking for a left-back.
‘The whole point of us trying to build a squad is to have those two players in every position and, at the minute, we don't have any in that left-back slot.
‘While we don’t want to be oversubscribed if Connor comes back and depending how Jacob is, but we just have to be more cautious this January than anything else, particularly considering our league position.
‘I don’t think we are necessarily going to have that luxury of seeing how Connor is when he comes back before deciding whether we need another left-back, unless he comes back quicker.
‘So we will definitely have our eye on that position.’
Damaged knee ligaments against Wrexham
Initially Jordan Williams took over at left wing-back, with Swanson handed left-back duties in the last five matches, culminating in an impressive showing in Saturday’s win over Blackburn.
Certainly the former Arsenal’s youngster’s form has cushioned the blow of losing Ogilvie, despite being right footed, and he will retain his place at Derby on Saturday.
Although it could be another five weeks before Ogilvie is ready to be considered for first-team duty, ensuring Swanson will have to continue in the role for a good number of games yet.
‘He has made that position his own’
Mousinho added: ‘Swanny has been a real positive actually.
‘You look at the fact we have actually managed to get through these games without a recognised left-back and we’ve had a couple of different players playing - and they have done very well.
‘Swanny has got into that position and he has made it his own, he has been very good.’
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