What’s next after Portsmouth defender's injury boost ahead of Sheffield Wednesday
With Sheffield Wednesday, Watford and Southampton on the horizon, the returning Pompey defender has updated over building his injury return.
Connor Ogilvie is ready to ramp up his Pompey comeback after returning ahead of schedule.
And the defender has told of his fitness fears, after getting his first action of 2026 under his belt against Arsenal.
Ogilvie: ‘It’s bit sooner than I expected’
Ogilvie returned to the fray after approaching 10 weeks out with a knee injury, picked up against Wrexham last November.
That period was quicker than anticipated with a three-month time frame put on his recovery, as the Blues dealt with the loss of one of their most consistent and reliable performers.
Ogilvie was introduced in the 62nd minute, operating as a central defender alongside Regan Poole after replacing Conor Shaughnessy.
Now the plan is for the 29-year-old to up those minutes ahead of a crucial period of games this month, with Saturday’s trip to Sheffield Wednesday the precursor for clashes with Watford and A Southampton.
Ogilvie said: ‘I’m delighted to be back, it’s bit sooner than I expected but I’m delighted to be back around the boys and playing in games like this.
‘I’m a couple of weeks ahead of schedule, with the timeframe up to 12 weeks.
‘I’ve been in training all week, I feel fit, I feel good and I feel strong. Now I just want to crack on.
‘I got 30 minutes today, but it felt like 90! They moved the ball well.
‘Of course it will take a bit of time to get my sharpness back. You can run as much as you want, but until you play games you won’t get the same level of fitness. I’m building from 30 and want to keep going now.’
Pompey defender: ‘One of my tougher periods’
Ogilvie explained his latest period out has been one of the most challenging of his career, with initial uncertainty over the extent of the knee ligament damage sustained when tackled by Issa Kabore.
Now the former Spurs academy talent is happy his season is ahead of him once again, as he eyes aiding Pompey’s Championship survival bid.
Ogilvie added: ‘It’s one of my tougher periods.
‘I did my ankle in the promotion year but this was a bit more worrying, because I didn’t quite know what was happening.
‘Anything with the knee you end up worrying about a bit more, because you fear it could be an ACL or something like that.
‘I’m not the best at watching games either, I get very anxious, but I’m back now and keep working to push forward.’