Bishop absence from Portsmouth squad explained amid new exit talk
Colby Bishop was absent from the Portsmouth squad for the pre-season contest with PEC Zwolle on Saturday.
Pompey continue their preparations for the new season after they survived last season in their first campaign back in the division.
Bishop was a crucial part in that; he notched 11 goals in 32 Championship appearances after missing the start of the season with a heart problem that needed surgery.
The hope will be that he can kick on and score 15 plus goals as the Fratton Park outfit tries to consolidate their position in the second tier.
Bishop absence explained amid Portsmouth exit fears
Bishop has been the subject of exit talks in recent weeks, but his absence from John Mousinho‘s side is understood to be due to injury.
The News reporter Neil Allen reported via X (2 August) that the 28-year-old missed the match due to “some sort of knock”.
Bishop got a cut above his eye in the pre-season game with Reading, but it is not known if that is injury that is keeping him out so close to the Championship season starting.
https://x.com/pn_neil_allen/status/1951635982488326656Portsmouth fans concerned amid Bishop omission
The lack of Bishop from the squad for the clash has led to concern from Pompey supporters about the exit speculation.
Several supporters commented on the club’s post about the line-up with worry over a potential move to Charlton.
https://x.com/mason_oliv95467/status/1951625710918840349 https://x.com/DanielE64141682/status/1951625561366757460Mousinho’s side have already lost the likes of Kusini Yengi and Christian Saydee and needs to add new attackers rather than losing another.
Bishop is a fan favourite in PO4 and has shown that he can consistently score in the second tier, it would be a huge mistake to let him leave.
Luckily, if this update is correct, it is just an injury concern rather than anything to do with a transfer, and speculation remains just that, rather than being anything concrete.
While Pompey do have one of the lowest budgets in the division, they cannot entertain selling Bishop, it would only take them backwards and put them in relegation danger after they secured survival last season.
They should build around the former Accrington Stanley man, rather than sacrificing him over financial concerns as the season approaches.
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