Rumour rated: the chances of Portsmouth signing reported Oxford target and ex-Sunderland midfielder

After the likes of James Hillson, Jordan Clark and Adam Le Fondre, Ethan Robson is the latest player to be linked with a move to Pompey.

According to Football Insider, the Blues and Oxford are battling for the signature of the midfielder, following his release from Sunderland.

It’s a bit of tittle-tattle that’s got fans chewing the fat, with Kenny Jackett’s side yet to make a signing during the transfer window.

It’s understood that Robson has potential League One suitors, with Blackpool, Fleetwood and Ipswich showing interest.

But, in truth, a switch to Fratton Park for Robson appears highly unlikely when scrutinising his profile.

First and foremost, he’s been allowed to depart a club of a similar ilk of Pompey when it comes to the third tier.

Both the Blues and Sunderland are again expected to be challenging for promotion ahead of the upcoming season.

If Robson was regarded as someone capable of playing a key role in a side battling for the Championship then you’d have imagined the Black Cats would have instead offered him fresh terms.

While the Houghton-le-Spring native was always well regarded when coming through the youth ranks at the Stadium of Light, he never hit the heights expected.

Injuries seemingly have meant he’s never fulfilled his potential, making only 14 appearances for Sunderland despite making his debut in September 2017.

There was an encouraging loan spell to Dundee during the second half of 2018-19 where he scored twice in 13 games.

Robson then netted three goals in 21 appearances during the first half of last term at League Two Grimsby before he was kept at Sunderland by Phil Parkinson for competition.

Ultimately, though, he couldn’t force his way into the manager’s plans and didn’t feature once before the suspension of the season and was subsequently released.

During his time as Pompey boss, Jackett’s not been one for taking gambles on signing who’ve suffered numerous injury problems.

Robson isn’t exactly a fledgling talent who’d be regarded as a long-term project that you could hone, either.

Turning 24 in October, he’d be expected to be challenging for a starting spot immediately.

The competition he'd be mainly fighting for places with are all of a similar age.

Bryn Morris turned 24 in April, Andy Cannon the same age a month earlier while Ben Close will celebrate his 24th birthday on August 8.

Pompey are also hopeful of Cameron McGeehan returning to the club and he's a year the senior of the three aforementioned.

Captain Tom Naylor is the oldest at 29, with plenty of mileage still left in the tank and set to play a pivotal role once again despite being dropped for the play-off defeat to Oxford.

With a potential squad limit of 22 players aged 21 and above, it, therefore, would seem a waste of a berth and wages to bring in a player who’d neither be regarded as a one for the future or go straight into the starting XI.

The Blues are well covered in the engine room already and if McGeehan arrives, it’s difficult to see why another option in Robson would be signed.

Rumour rating - 2/5