Latest: Portsmouth defender's Fratton future revealed
The latest over the Pompey defender’s Fratton future, after linking up with A-League outfit Western Sydney Wanderers.
Jacob Farrell still has a Pompey future despite his Fratton Park exit.
And Blues boss John Mousinho has challenged the defender to get the playing time he’s not been able to find at PO4, before challenging for a first-team place next season.
Mousinho on Farrell: ‘Come back and compete in Championship’
Mousinho is adamant Farrell can still be an asset for his team, despite a nightmare stay with the Blues which has been decimated by injury.
The left-back’s return to Australia was confirmed on Friday evening, with Farrell linking up with Western Sydney Wanderers for the rest of the campaign.
The 23-year-old got his first minutes on Saturday, coming off the bench to help his struggling side to a 1-1 draw with Melbourne City.
Farrell has been hampered by knee and groin issues since joining from Central Coast Mariners, signing a four-year contract in the summer of 2024.
That has meant he’s been limited to three Pompey appearances, though he did get some minutes off the bench in the Championship at Watford last month.
Mousinho has now outlined how he sees the outlook for Farrell moving forward, with the Blues head coach clear he doesn’t feel the player’s days at Pompey are numbered.
He reckons Farrell needs to build up the playing time he’s not been able to get, however, to give him the chance to get his Fratton career motoring.
Mousinho said: ‘Now Jacob’s back fit again, the next step for him is to play some games.
‘We want him to then come back and compete in the Championship.
‘We feel we’re okay in terms of options at left back and are covered there now. We’ve got Connor (Ogilvie), Jordan Williams and Zak (Swanson) who can play there, so the best thing for Jacob for the next three months is to play and get games.
‘He’s still an asset for us, that’s why we needed to loan him out.
‘He needs to play games and that’s something he’s not been able to do, in a difficult start to his Portsmouth career impacted by injuries.
‘We want him to play those games, come back fit in pre-season and go again.’
Farrell is ‘being watched’ by Socceroos
Mousinho believes Farrell’s loan move can also kickstart his international aspirations, at an important time in World Cup year.
The Gosford man’s had senior squad involvement for the Socceroos, but not picked up a cap for his country at the highest level.
There has been plenty of under-23 recognition for Farrell, however, with the finals in North America this summer a natural target for the player.
Mousinho sees no reason why the move to Sydney can’t boost his aspirations of being involved with Tony Popovic’s squad.
He added: ‘Jacob’s been in a couple of the senior squads and this is a good opportunity for him to go and get games.
‘He is being watched by the Australia set-up and their head coach, who will be seeing how he gets on.’