Credit: Imago

Joe Elvin

Mon 11 August 2025 20:38, UK

Portsmouth take on Reading in the Carabao Cup second round on Tuesday, and they’ll likely still be brimming with confidence after winning their opening Championship fixture.

Portsmouth won 1-0 away at Oxford thanks to a goal from Adrian Segecic on his league debut.

John Swift made his first competitive appearance for Pompey, as did loan signings Bianchini and Yang Min-hyeok, with all three catching the eye.

A raft of changes are expected for the cup tie against Reading, though. Luke Le Roux and Mark Kosznovszky are expected to debut, while the likes of Hayden Matthews and Jacob Farrell could also get a game.

However, the loan signings are also expected to feature again as they continue to settle in with their new teammates.

Yang tipped to make huge impact as Portsmouth host Reading in Carabao Cup

If Yang starts against Reading, he’ll be keen to make an impact in front of the home supporters.

There’s certainly a lot of hype surrounding Yang in his native South Korea, while Mousinho is clearly a fan as well.

And he’s not the only Portsmouth representative who backs the 19-year-old to achieve big things at Fratton Park.

• Read more: Yang Min-Hyeok signs from Tottenham – Who is Portsmouth’s latest arrival?

Speaking after the Oxford game on Pompey+, former Portsmouth defender Andy Awford outlined the exact moment Mousinho knew he had to sign the youngster.

He said: “John Mousinho said in his press before the game that he watched him play last year for QPR against Derby when they won 4-0 and he was outstanding.

“I sat three rows behind John Mousinho at that game believe it or not, and I went away looking up who that was.

“He was very good that night and if he can reach those heights he will be some player for Pompey.”

Mousinho should be praised for transfer market activity

Portsmouth have recruited six promising players in the transfer market and they’ve kept hold of all their top stars.

Mousinho deserves praise for building this new-and-improved Pompey squad on such a small budget.

It already seems like a huge coup to sign Swift and Segecic on a free transfer, while the loan signings of Yang and Bianchini look promising too.

Mousinho has insisted that he is still looking for more new recruits, and some fans on social media are still sharing worries about a lack of strength in depth.

The calls for Portsmouth to try and sign Abu Kamara have barely stopped all summer.

However, if Yang can perform to his best against Reading on Tuesday, it might convince fans that a new winger isn’t the top priority after all.

While the early rounds of the Carabao Cup are barely valued by anyone in English football these days, the Korean will surely be desperate to help Pompey win this game.

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