‘John Mousinho set to receive new signing’ as Portsmouth training photos emerge
John Mousinho will be hoping to strengthen his Portsmouth squad as much as possible ahead of their opening day clash with Oxford United on 9 August.
The South Coast outfit rallied in the latter stages of the previous campaign to drag themselves firmly away from any relegation trouble, but they may face another difficult task this time around.
Mousinho will know that a strong start could be crucial to his side’s fortunes this term, and they have been handed a good opportunity to kick-start their season with several winnable games in the first few months.
The Pompey squad are currently away in Slovakia for a pre-season training camp, and Mousinho has received a huge boost as their preparations continue.
Ibane Bowat will be like a new signing for Mousinho
Ibane Bowat has had a torrid time during his stint at Fratton Park so far. The left-back joined Pompey for an undisclosed fee last summer, but is still yet to make a competitive appearance for them.
Bowat ruptured his patella tendon in a training session last September, and it ultimately ruled him out for the entire 2024/25 campaign.
The 22-year-old has now featured in training photos from the Slovakia tour posted to Pompey’s Instagram account (8 July), and he has completed a full training session with the rest of the squad, according to The News (9 July).
The defender’s rehabilitation process has seemingly reached the next stage over the last few weeks as he is now involved in training, and there will surely be hope that he could be ready to feature in one of the opening games of Pompey’s season, if he continues to make good progress.
Bowat will be like a new signing for Mousinho whenever he completes his return, as the Portsmouth boss will now be involve a fresh face in his matchday plans after several months without his presence.
Bowat’s return is a timely boost for Pompey after Matt Ritchie news
Bowat’s return from injury could not have come at a better time, given the news that Matt Ritchie is set to depart Fratton Park this summer.
The 35-year-old featured much more regularly than was perhaps expected last term, and it now seems as though time has been called on the winger’s second stint with his boyhood club.
Ritchie hasn’t travelled to Slovakia, and that will surely mark the end of his ties with the club, in what will be an emotional exit for both him and the fans.
The Fratton faithful won’t really know what to expect from Bowat, given his lack of football last term, but he will be a welcome addition to Mousinho’s thinking as the new campaign beckons on the horizon.
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