Only four of Colby Bishop’s 60 goals for Pompey have been scored in the past 16 months

Colby Bishop’s form in front of goal remains a ‘massive concern’ for Pompey.

But The News’ Neil Allen believes it’s imperative the Blues keep hold of the misfiring Fratton Park striker between now and the close of the transfer window.

The 29-year-old frontman has found the back of the net on just three occasions in 2026 as he continues to find goals hard to come by in the Championship.

Since bagging 21 during Pompey’s League One promotion-winning season, Bishop has netted 14 in 84 second-tier outings. a return that prompted the Blues to splash the cash on Serbian centre-forward Marko Milovanovic this summer.

The former UD Almeria striker’s recent arrival has understandably cast doubt on his fellow forward’s starting place as the new season progresses.

Indeed, before Milovanovic joined for a fee that could eventually rise to €5m, Bishop was linked with a move to Sheffield Wednesday.

At the time, that prospect was quickly shot down by Mousinho, who remains keen to keep hold for the former Accrington goal-getter.

And Allen believes that stance shouldn’t change between now and 11pm on Tuesday, September 1 - even if Bishop continues his personal battle with finding the back of the net.

‘You still need Bishop around’

Bishop has started each of Pompey’s opening matches of the new season as Milovanovic’s game time continues to be managed and Thomas Waddingham copes with an ankle injury.

When asked on the latest episode of Pompey Talk what the Blues should do with the forward who still has two years on his contract, Allen replied: ‘They keep him for a start, because you want that competition up front.

‘You keep him, as you know what he can do, he can affect games rather than scoring goals.

‘He's a tremendous professional, (has a) tremendous work ethic, gives everything for the football club, won't sulk.

‘Obviously, his heart issue aside, he barely misses a game through injury either. So he's robust as well, unlike some of the signings where we're sick and tired of talking about the same players being injured.

‘So for me, he needs to stay and give competition. But at the moment, he just doesn't like scoring goals.

‘You could argue not enough's been created for him. But he just doesn't like scoring goals, and he doesn't like being able to create goals for himself either, which you see other strikers do. So it's a concern. It is a massive concern.

‘Mousinho has said many times that Milovanovic needs to be eased into the games, to learn the game. He needs patience, he needs time. And you still need Bishop around (because of that).’

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