Colby Bishop releases statement as Portsmouth striker requires heart surgery
Portsmouth striker Colby Bishop has released a statement online following news he will require a heart operation following a pre-season scan.
As published on the club’s official X page [30 July], the club shared a message from the 27-year-old thanking everyone for their support, noting he has been referred to a “world-leading expert” and describing the planned surgical procedure as “ground-breaking”.
Bishop had not yet appeared in pre-season for Pompey due to the recent birth of his child, and was set to begin to work his way back up to speed before the difficult news.
Having scored over 20 goals in each of the last two seasons in League One, Bishop concluded his statement by relaying how he cannot wait to be back out on the pitch at Fratton Park.
Portsmouth community rallies around Bishop following news
Portsmouth fans have been quick to reciprocate their positivity and support to Bishop following the news, and have vowed to extensively sing his name in the Blues’ pre-season match at MK Dons on Tuesday night.
Whilst it is a considerable blow to lose Bishop for the foreseeable future and an uncertain amount of time beyond that, Pompey have immediately recognised that the player’s health and wellbeing comes first and foremost, and are encouraged by the advanced hands he now lies in.
The striker has been talismanic for the club since his arrival from Accrington Stanley in 2022, and has struck a chord with the Fratton faithful.
His absence for family reasons in the opening weeks of pre-season has meant John Mousinho was unlikely to rush him into the starting XI early in the season regardless, with Kusini Yengi set to lead the line against Leeds United on 10 August and the club looking likely to sign Danish forward Elias Sorensen from Esbjerg [Farzam Abelhosseini, 30 July].
The club and Bishop himself will post further updates as and when they arrive as the striker begins his rehabilitation process.
In other Portsmouth news, David James has delivered his thoughts on the upcoming season for the club.
For more Portsmouth news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.