Luckless Portsmouth prospect hit by yet another cruel injury blow - 40 minutes into latest comeback

Luckless Reuben Swann has suffered yet another injury blow - 40 minutes into his long-awaited comeback.

The promising Pompey midfielder returned to the Hawks for an initial two-month on Friday in search of regular first-team football to aid his development.

A previous Westleigh Park spell in October was cut short by a knee injury sustained in training, just days after marking his debut with a goal from the bench.

That represented more woe for the 19-year-old, who has suffered a torrid six months after suffering a hip flexor problem while training with John Mousinho’s in Slovakia during pre-season.

Yet hopes were high Swann was now over his problems after going back to the Hawks for a third spell on Friday, this time accompanied by fellow Blues youngster Harry Clout.

Fresh set-back

However, after being selected in Aaron Martin’s starting XI against Wimborne Town at the weekend, the former FC Sudbury youngster was forced off in the 40th minute.

He was replaced by Olly Pendlebury as the Hawks ran out 4-0 winners in the Southern League Premier South clash which further eased relegation worries.

Although Swann was able to leave the pitch without assistance, the precise details of the injury at this stage are unclear and will now be assessed back at Pompey.

Regardless, it’s another cruel blow for the midfielder, who has now totalled just 62 minutes of non-league football so far this season.

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No doubt he will be desperate to be available for the Boxing Day clash at Gosport (3pm), which represents the next time the Hawks are in action.

Pompey progress checked by injury

Frustratingly, Swann’s Pompey progress has been checked by injury since joining from AFC Sudbury in June 2024 for an undisclosed fee.

Having impressed on trial at Fratton Park, when ironically he also collected an injury, the Blues snapped up the teenager with the view of a long-term project, rather than a first-team contender in the Championship.

He subsequently spent last season on loan with the Hawks, where he made 43 appearances, scoring seven times and assisting six goals, although was restricted primarily to bench duty.

Ahead of last summer’s Pompey pre-season and determined to make an impact, Swann worked hard on his fitness back home in Ipswich and subsequently earned praise from Mousinho.

However, he damaged his hip flexor while on the Blues’ Slovakian training camp and would be involved in just one friendly, ironically against the Hawks in July, as the injury hampered his involvement.

Second Hawks spell in October

In October, he rejoined the Hawks and marked a second debut with a goal just six minutes after being introduced off the bench in a 4-2 win over Tiverton Town in the FA Trophy.

Days later, though, he collected an ankle injury in training, prematurely ending his latest Westleigh Park involvement and keeping him out of first-team action until last weekend.

Now the Hawks are waiting to hear whether Swann faces another return to the sidelines - or if it’s purely a short absence.

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