Exclusive:'Absolutely not': Portsmouth boss addresses Fratton Park transfer plans for Harvey Blair
The former Liverpool man has made 28 appearances since joining in August 2024
John Mousinho has ruled out a summer departure for Harvey Blair - for now.
The former Liverpool man is currently free from the injury-problems which have blighted his two years on the south coast.
As a consequence, the 22-year-old has featured three times during the Blues’ friendly schedule, including starting Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Wycombe.
For Mousinho, having Blair regularly on the training pitch is an encouraging sight, with the attacker having totalled just 28 appearances since joining in August 2024.
His presence is also still required with Pompey’s wing options continuing to be devastated by injuries to Josh Murphy, Keshi Anderson and Franco Umeh during pre-season.
Certainly at this moment in time, the Blues’ head coach is adamant Blair is not being earmarked for a loan.
‘At the minute, absolutely not’
Mousinho told The News: ‘The most important thing for Harvey has been the fact he has been available to train, he has been available to play games.
‘He hasn’t had that in the past two seasons, so once we get him fit, once we get him at it, we want to see what we know Harvey is capable of.
‘I think we saw it in glimpses last season, particularly when he played in the side consistently around Christmas. The fitness aspect is the biggest thing.
‘We’re not looking to loan him out at the minute. Against Wycombe we started with Harvey on the left and Eoin Kenny on the right when we had brought him in as a 10.
‘Then, in the second half, we had Ibane Bowat on the left wing and the triallist (Appiah) on the right. So, at the minute, absolutely not.’
Impending arrival of Luke Brooke-Smith
After he was withdrawn, triallist Arvin Appiah and then centre-half Ibane Bowat also had stints there, emphasising Pompey’s startling lack of depth in the wing areas at present.
The impending arrival of Luke Brooke-Smith will bolster options, yet the 18-year-old New Zealander is regarded as a player for the future rather than an immediate first-team regular.
That still leaves Blair with a role to play in the here and now, providing he can remain injury-free and available to Mousinho - something which has frustratingly eluded during his two seasons with the Blues.
Admittedly, he was part of a Pompey team which put in a dreadful performance at Wycombe in their fourth friendly of the summer.
Although, having used 21 players in the 3-1 defeat, Mousinho didn’t target Blair for criticism afterwards.
He added: ‘I thought his performance was okay against Wycombe, it was probably reflective of where we are as a team.
‘I don’t think Harvey stood out either way.’