Portsmouth right back Zak Swanson is closing in on his return from injury after undergoing groin surgery.
The 23-year-old has endured a tough 2023/24 season, making just three League One starts to date.
Joe Rafferty has been John Mousinho’s go-to right back, with the Liverpudlian starting 26 matches.
The 30-year-old could now face stern competition, with BBC Sport journalist Andrew Moon confirming Swanson is closing in on his return.
“John Mousinho says there are no new injury worries, but he’s likely to freshen up the team for tomorrow’s match with Cambridge United. Zak Swanson is close to a return but won’t be available tomorrow night,” said Moon (via his personal X account, 12 February).
Zak Swanson could start for Portsmouth
Swanson has had torrid luck during his two-and-a-half-year spell on the south coast. With just 39 appearances, the former Arsenal youngster will be hoping to make an impact during the second half of the season.
“Zak’s hardly featured this season, but when he has, it feels like 90 per cent of the time, he’s been our best player,” Mousinho told the Portsmouth News.
With the Pompey boss a fan of Swanson, rotation could well be in the offing, and that is certainly needed.
With injuries hitting Pompey hard, Mousinho would be wise to shuffle the pack to keep his side fresh for the run-in.
Fortunately, Pompey have played more than most in League One, which has reduced the number of midweek fixtures between now and the end of the season.
Looking to rotate and keep the starting XI fresh could be the difference between automatic promotion and falling into the playoffs come the end of April.
The Blues’ January has helped. Five players arrived in what was an eye-catching winter window. Callum Lang, Myles Peart-Harris and Owen Moxon give Pompey genuine strength in depth, which cannot be said in recent years.
Looking to utilise all of the squad, particularly against the lesser teams, is a must.
Six points separates Pompey from second-placed Derby County, with four wins in five putting the Blues in an excellent position heading into the latter stages of the season.
Next is a home clash with Cambridge United before a tough-looking fixture against an in-form Reading.
The Fratton Park faithful should expect changes from Mousinho and the coaching staff over the coming weeks.