Ben Thompson: I'm loving it at my club Millwall - but never rule out a Portsmouth return

But at present the talented midfielder remains fully committed to boyhood club Millwall.

Thompson was a class act at Fratton Park during the first half of the 2018-19 season, his displays helping propel the Blues to the top of League One.

Such was the consistent quality of his performances during 27 appearances, parent club Millwall cut short his season-long loan to call him home in January 2019.

Since then, Thompson has been a regular in the Championship club’s side, with first-team absences mainly prompted by injury.

The 24-year-old always speaks glowingly of his time at Fratton Park, a stint he credits as kick-starting his career.

And he won’t rule out a reunion later in his playing days.

Thompson told The News: ‘Millwall is my boyhood club, I love playing for them.

‘Pompey was a great learning experience for me, it gave me the confidence to go out and be a better player, but everyone knew I was returning to Millwall at some point.

‘Going back to Millwall was in the contract and it was public that I was at Fratton Park for the experience, I was there to learn and to become a better player. It certainly didn’t disappoint.

‘I knew I was always going to head back to The Den. It would have been nice to stay for the remainder of the season at Pompey, but obviously that didn’t work out.

‘I’m back at Millwall now and enjoying my football. I still keep up to date with the Pompey results, the club has a place in my heart.

‘Who knows whether I’ll be back one day? Football’s a crazy game, things can happen, people can go out of favour, people can leave a club, no-one really knows.

‘If there’s ever a chance, potentially I could be back – but at the moment I’m very happy with Millwall and just enjoying my football.’

Thompson has made 18 Championship starts for Millwall this season, but not featured since mid-December.

Having damaged his ankle after appearing as a substitute at Derby, he received a further setback by injuring his quad during rehab.

That ruled the midfielder out for the season – although the extension of the league campaign means he now expects to play a part after all.

Thompson added: ‘I’m in rehab and it’s nearly there. If the current season starts again then I should be fit and ready to go.

‘I’m feeling a lot better and if we return to training next month I should be fit to kick a football again.’