Zak Swanson discusses Portsmouth injury setbacks, says how things will be different
Portsmouth man Zak Swanson is looking to put his previous injury struggles behind him as his career at the club resumes.
Speaking to portsmouthfc.co.uk [Portsmouth FC on X, 22 July], the full-back has spoken of his desire to earn a place in John Mousinho’s team.
Recently out of contract at Fratton Park, Swanson’s new deal now officially makes him a Blues player again, and increases Mousinho’s right-back options alongside new recruit Jordan Williams.
“No one wants to be injured, and no player wants not to play,” Swanson told the club media.
“I can’t wait to get going again. I want to be over those injury issues and I hopefully am now.
“I’ve been working really hard and I just want to kick on and play my football.”
Portsmouth can unleash Swanson
Swanson is an interesting player in that his upbringing through Arsenal’s renowned Hale End academy evidently makes him a player keen to attack and comfortable in possession, an attribute vital to Mousinho.
As outlined here, his 12 league games last year – limited due to his groin injury – showed he averaged more touches per game than 92% of fellow defenders in League One, demonstrating his boldness and confidence on the ball.
In playing the 12 matches, the key elephant in the room here is that Swanson missed 34 of a title-winning promotion campaign – which would have really set the player back mentally while his teammates were roaring to the Championship.
Whilst plenty of options will have been on the table for the 23-year-old, the chance to take his finger off the pause button on his Pompey career will be a massive relief for a player with the clear ability to step up, just hoping to get a clean run at the club’s biggest season in many years.
Competition for places will only increase with the recruitment operation underway at Fratton Park, and Swanson has a real chance to nail his place should he prove his fitness.
In other Portsmouth news, David Norris reminisces on being a trialist as pre-season sees Pompey take a trio of players on a trial basis.
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