One too many: The agonising Portsmouth 25-man squad decision facing John Mousinho
The Blues squad currently contains 28 senior players following the departure of Luke Le Roux
John Mousinho is ready to get ruthless as he targets the one remaining player to cut from his Pompey squad.
Yesterday’s departure of Luke Le Roux by mutual consent has partially reduced the headache of who to leave out of their forthcoming 25-man Football League squad.
Nonetheless, it still leaves Pompey with 28 senior players on their books, dictating that three cannot be included when the list is lodged today.
For those not registered, they are prevented from playing first-team football until January at the very minimum, although can continue to train.
Kosznovszky and Farrell
Long-term absentee Mark Kosznovszky, who isn’t expected to return from injury until January, is a certainty to be excluded, yet in no way reflects his future at Fratton Park.
Another is Jacob Farrell, with Mousinho making no secret of his desire to offload the luckless Australian this summer following two injury-ravaged seasons.
That leaves one remaining space - and no obvious candidate for the Blues’ head coach to select.
Certainly Harvey Blair could be vulnerable, despite making his first appearance of the season in last weekend’s defeat at Bristol City.
Now in his third Pompey campaign, the former Liverpool man has frustratingly struggled for availability and, as a consequence, hasn’t come close to fulfilling his potential.
Elsewhere, ongoing injury issues for Keshi Anderson and Josh Murphy could also bring them into the equation, particularly should their lay-offs stretch into months rather than weeks.
Murphy has already been ruled out until November after undergoing more groin surgery, while Anderson’s torn quad originally saw him pencilled in for a mid-October comeback.
Loan players are not counted as under-21s
Another injury concern, Thomas Waddingham, is still classed as an under-21 player, so irrespective of whether he is fit, he does not take up a spot.
Another important point to consider is all loan players are counted, regardless of their age. This includes Jayden Meghoma, Benjy Arthur and Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, despite all being aged 20 and below.
In fact, of the 12 summer signings, just Eoin Kenny and Luke Brooke-Smith are classed as under-21 players, joining Franco Umeh, Tayo Singerr and Waddingham in that category.
Interestingly, back in January, Pompey opted to name 23 players and keep two spots spare for the second half of the season - which could again be under consideration.
On that occasion, Mousinho opted to keep the door ajar for injured trio Blair, Josh Knight and Florian Bianchini, dangling the carrot of a spot to whoever convinced him of their fitness.
As it turned out, Blair and Bianchini would claim them, although the latter never featured again in 2025-26, primarily due to their long-term injuries.
Past exclusions of Lowery, Stevenson and Archer
Since Pompey returned to the Championship in 2024, those not registered have included Tom Lowery, Ben Stevenson and Jordan Archer.
Colby Bishop, who was recovering from heart surgery, was also omitted in the first half of the 2024-25 season. However, he was allowed to replace the injured Ibane Bowat in November 2024 after recovering.
Regardless, 28 into 25 doesn’t fit - and another player must join Kosznovszky and Farrell in being omitted.
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