Why ex-Middlesbrough midfielder Bryn Morris still has a lot to give at Portsmouth

That's the verdict of James Bolton, as the midfielder closes in on putting his injury nightmare behind him.

Morris has stepped up his training regime, with the Blues hoping he’ll be available for selection before the end of the season.

The former Middlesbrough man hasn’t featured all campaign, having been troubled by an abdomen complaint.

He’s finally made encouraging progress, however, and is now working with a football on the grass.

Bolton played with Morris at Shrewsbury, with both key members of the side that reached the League One play-off final in 2018.

Having been ‘touted to be one of the best midfielders in the country’ the former England captain shouldn’t be written off by the Fratton faithful.

Bolton said: ‘Bryn is back and it’s good to see. I’m buzzing for him and hopefully he can kick on now and go from there.

‘It’s been a long road for him. I think he needs to do a little bit extra with his kicking and that kind of stuff but he seems to feel good when running.

‘Hopefully he can get himself right now.

‘Bryn will give everything in midfield. He’s got energy, he works hard and has a good range of passing. He's a good player to have in your team.

‘He is capable of a lot. As a young lad, he was touted to be one of the best midfielders in the country and he was when captaining England.

‘He was highly touted and has a lot to give.’

Bolton lived with Morris for a brief period following his summer arrival from Shrewsbury.

While the former struggled to break into Kenny Jackett's side and Morris’ injury continued to plague him, spirits in the Gunwharf Quays flat were often sombre.

But the ex-Wycombe loanee, who’s been restricted to eight Pompey appearances since his January 2019 arrival, never thought about giving up.

Bolton added: ‘I was his shoulder to cry on – especially when I was living with him! When he wasn’t fit and I wasn’t playing, it was a bit of a sad flat.

‘Bryn is a top lad and a good player. I know he’ll do everything he can to get back.

‘It’s not his nature to give up. He's wanted to get back and tried a lot of things. It's just unfortunate he couldn't find the right regime that worked for him, so hopefully he’s all sorted now.

‘Not knowing what the injury was the hardest thing and that was half the battle.’