Portsmouth boss tips ex-Blackburn and Cardiff target for future 'success' as he edges towards Fratton Park exit

Ronan Curtis is edging ever closer to his return from injury under the watchful eye of Pompey's medical staff. Picture: Paul Thompson/ProSportsImages

The Republic of Ireland international tore the ACL in his left knee against Bolton in February and has been working hard on the comeback trail ever since.

Having turned down a fresh deal in the summer, he will depart Fratton Park towards the end of the year, once his lengthy rehabilitation is over.

Although Mousinho wanted to retain the long-serving winger, yet accepts the Irishman’s playing career with the Blues has moved on.

And with Curtis maintaining encouraging progress in his recovery, he anticipates him thriving elsewhere.

He told The News: ‘Wherever Ronan goes, he will be successful, I am sure of that. It’s a tough recovery from an ACL injury and he’s putting the hard work in.

‘Obviously we wanted to have him at the football club this year, because we value him highly. We wouldn’t have ever made that offer if we didn’t think he could make an impact in League One.

‘He has played a huge part in this club’s history since he came over from Ireland and is a very, very valued player, regardless of whether he is a Pompey player or not.

‘That’s why we welcome him to do his rehab at the club. He has been out on the grass rehabbing and we are making sure we hold up our end of the bargain, ensuring Ronan is fully fit and rehabbing properly.

‘He has been on the grass for a while, since September, and it’s one of those with the ACL where you can be out on the grass and still a way away from getting back.

‘Not that Ronan is a huge amount of time from getting back, he is probably 4-5 weeks into it, but still a way from being fully fit.’

Curtis scored 57 goals in 226 appearances for Pompey after arriving from Derry in the summer of 2018.

Those impressive figures have previously seen him attract Championship interest from Blackburn, Cardiff and Bristol City, yet now he’s a free agent.

Mousinho added: ‘We get reports from the physios every morning to see how Ronan’s doing.

‘The point he leaves us is a bit of a grey area, that will be more of a conversation between Ronan and the physiotherapy team about whether he feels comfortable to either train here or see what he wants to do elsewhere.

‘Nothing which involves me too much, it’s more of a medical issue.’