Portsmouth arrange friendly match designed to get star player up to speed – report
Portsmouth will accelerate Regan Poole’s return to full fitness in midweek with a behind-closed-doors friendly with Havant & Waterlooville, according to The News.
Neil Allen’s report [16 September] claims that the bounce game with the Hawks has been organised through their head coach Shaun North, a former academy coach and kitman at Pompey.
Poole returned from an ACL-enforced absence of nearly 10 months at the weekend with an emotional cameo against West Brom at Fratton Park.
The Welsh international defender is set to start the match as John Mousinho remains keen to regain Poole his full match sharpness.
Portsmouth welcome back Regan Poole
It was mixed emotions in many senses for Portsmouth on Sunday, comfortably beaten in the end by table-toppers West Brom.
Conor Shaughnessy also missed a third game when it was intended for the Irishman to return, though there were comebacks for Josh Murphy, Tom McIntyre and finally a 14-minute appearance for Poole.
Pompey fans really took to the former Manchester United academy product after his move from Lincoln City, as he contributed to a host of clean sheets before damaging his anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] against Chesterfield in the FA Cup in November 2023.
With the level of opponent this season drastically stepping up – as the Blues have discovered the hard way through the fixture computer – Poole is a vital returnee to a side who next up face Burnley and Sheffield United.
The contest suits the Hawks, too, with their own midweek schedule free as they compete in the Southern Premier League South – currently lying in 11th spot.
In other Portsmouth news, Don Goodman praises Pompey despite their winless start.
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