Midfielder returns to Portsmouth - but future remains unclear
Reuben Swann has made more than 50 loan appearances for the Hawks over the past two seasons
Midfielder Reuben Swann is heading back to Pompey.
The 19-year-old’s latest loan stint at non-league neighbours Havant & Waterloovilled has expired, prompting the Blues to recall him to Fratton Park.
The Hawks had hoped to extend his stay after the teenager featured seven times for Aaron Martin’s Southern League premier south side in recent months. However, the Westleigh Park outfit were informed that the former AFC Sudbury player would not be returning for a third stint during the 2025-26 campaign.
It’s unclear, though, if Pompey intend to keep Swann around John Mousinho’s first-team ranks to assist his development and help numbers in training, or whether they will send him to another club on a temporary basis.
The Blues currently have 13 players on their injured list, including midfielder Mark Kozsnovzsky, who is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
Swann would not take up one of the remaining places in Pompey’s 25-man squad list if he were to find himself in first-team contention over the remainder of the season due to his age.
A statement from the Hawks on Friday read: ‘We are disappointed to announce that Reuben Swann has returned to parent club Portsmouth following the conclusion of his loan with the Hawks
‘We had hoped to be able to extend Reuben’s loan but, Portsmouth have informed us that they would be unable to extend his spell at Westleigh Park.
‘We would like to thank Reuben for his efforts during his time with the Hawks and wish him nothing but the very best for his return to Fratton Park.’
Swann is yet to make his Blues debut following his move to Fratton Park from AFC Sudbury for an undisclosed fee in 2024.
His contract expires in 2026.