Portsmouth boss makes promise to devastated ex-Manchester United, Birmingham City and Swansea City man after heartbreaking setback

The Pompey attacker is facing a second lengthy period on the sidelines, after suffering another anterior cruciate knee ligament injury.

Reid suffered the massive setback in training in an unopposed incident, which has damaged the ligament in the other knee to the problem which kept him out for the whole of last season.

It’s wretched fortune for the 21-year-old, who suffered the other setback shortly after arriving from Birmingham City.

Reid’s existing deal runs to the end of the season, but Cowley has made it clear he will be given full backing by Pompey once again as he goes through his rehabilitation.

He said: ‘Jayden came back in really good condition in the summer and worked so, so hard.

‘He started pre-season really well with all physical conditioning.

‘Jayden then pulled his hamstring where they took the graft.

‘They take the graft from the semitendinosus muscle, because out of the three hamstrings it’s the least important.

‘He strains it, misses a period, comes back on the grass and is three sessions in then ruptures his other cruciate in an innocuous incident with no one near him.

‘It’s tough for him, very tough for him.

‘Of course (he’ll get support from the club). For us, it’s to always help and support the players in their hour of need.’

Cowley told how Reid has been given the full backing of the Pompey dressing room, after being dealt news which is certain to test his resolve and character.

But the Blues boss believes the former Manchester United and Swansea talent has both of those qualities in abundance as he faces his latest injury battle.

Cowley added: ‘We’re a tight group and it’s actually been really nice to see the group get around him.

‘It’s important we all rally around him now, but he’s a strong character. He’s come back from this once and he’ll come back from it again.

‘It’s not the journey we anticipated for Jayden, but this is his journey.

‘When he does come back we’ll be really, really proud of him.’