Poole's form takes a dip at Pompey

Portsmouth defender Regan Poole has admitted he has had a dip in form for the first time in quite a while in his career.

The 26-year-old spent more than 10 months on the sidelines due to a knee injury before returning to action in September.

"It's been tough for me personally, I've made quite a few mistakes that have led to goals which is not nice," Poole told BBC Radio Solent.

"It's frustrating and plays on my mind, of course, but it's football, it's how you bounce back."

The former Lincoln City centre-back has started 10 consecutive matches for Pompey after his return to full fitness.

"Obviously I came back at Burnley - it was adrenaline mostly and it's been quite frustrating since then," he said. "I wanted to take off where I left off but that hasn't been the case at all.

"It's nice that the gaffer knows what I'm going through, he would have loved to have played me a little bit less and the big thing for me was getting to this international break feeling fit with no niggles."