Sam Hudson issues injury update on Portsmouth gem Harry Clout

Portsmouth Academy gem Harry Clout is continuing his injury rehabilitation as Sam Hudson issues an update on the 17-year-old.

The starlet, who impressed in pre-season before a loan switch to Bognor Regis Town, is currently recovering from minor ankle ligament damage which could rule him out for up to 12 weeks.

However, Clout is hoping for a much quicker comeback and aims for a huge FA Youth Cup tie with Leeds United - unscheduled thus far but has to be played by 14 December - to be back on the pitch.

Under-18 lead coach Hudson told The News [20 November]: "Harry went to Bognor and played four games. He seemed to be doing okay and had settled in there quite well, getting lots of minutes.

"Then his loan ended because of injury. He picked up a knock in training with us, really innocuous, no-one around him. It was minor ankle ligament damage, which is a 6-12 week job.

"He was going particularly well up until the unfortunate injury. When he returns we’ll give him a few games in-house for the U18s to get him back to full fitness. With the FA Youth Cup against Leeds on the horizon, we’re trying to do our best for him to get him involved. It will be touch and go, though."

Harry Clout - the prospect Portsmouth fans are talking about

Clout was described in The News' article as the "poster boy" for the Portsmouth Academy, a status he has been credited with after an impressive pre-season with the first team.

Identified best as a winger by John Mousinho and Rich Hughes, the former included him in several matchday squads at the start of the campaign as he took a place on the bench.

While he has not yet made his debut and the club can no longer enter its senior squad in the EFL Trophy, Clout's move to Bognor - who required a wide player - seemed an excellent match, but the injury has come at a tricky time.

Clout is undoubtedly the closest of Hudson's U18 charges to getting a runout in Pompey blue in a competitive match, which is unlikely to be altered by the injury setback.

However, with the U18s performing how they have been of late, there could be opportunities in the future if the youngsters keep their heads down.

In other Portsmouth news, Blues fans can reap the rewards as Kusini Yengi comes full-circle for Australia.

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