Portsmouth

Portsmouth forward Callum Lang says he's now the fittest he's ever been after missing 10 of the last 13 games last season with a hamstring injury.

Prior to his injury, Lang was a regular feature in the starting XI during Pompey's Championship campaign but was not able to complete a full 90 minutes in any of the final three games upon return from his injury.

However, he has found a silver lining from his time in the recovery room.

"Coming back to pre-season, it's the fittest I've ever been," Lang told BBC Radio Solent.

"I'd like to think as a player I'm pretty fit and I always have been. It's what I pride myself on a lot, my energy and getting around the pitch.

"But I think I've stepped it up a level and I'm even fitter going into this season. The injury and a bit more of a break has let me hit this summer a bit harder."

Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.

Portsmouth sporting director Richard Hughes said it has been a "tough [transfer] window so far" for the Blues but work continues to bring new faces in.

Australian striker Adrian Segeric, 21, was Pompey's first signing of the summer when he joined from A League side Sydney FC last month, but despite links with former loanees Abu Kamara, of Hull City, and Cardiff's Alex Robertson, Pompey have yet to complete another deal.

Hughes told BBC Radio Solent: "We want to bring in players to add to the group, we are working deliberately and urgently behind the scenes to get that done.

"We keep moving forward, we'll keep trying to get deals done, and keep trying to make the squad as strong as it can be."

While other Championship clubs have parachute payments or big transfer windfalls to spend, Hughes added: "That's not how we operate, it's really tough but we are not going to lose faith in what we do. We're going to stick to the way we operate and we'll see the benefits of that at the end of the window.

"There are three or four deals that we are working really hard on, and we know there is a lot we have to factor in. We're hoping to have bodies through the door sooner rather than later.

"We're in a secure position, there are a couple of gaps, we are really happy with the players we have, it's just about adding to them. It's a project people want to be part of."

Click here to listen to Richard Hughes' interview in full via BBC Sounds.

Portsmouth are closing in on MTK Budapest midfielder Mark Kosznovszky, 23, with both clubs keen to strike a deal for the Hungarian to move. (Lorenzo Lepore via X), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Friday's gossip column here.

"The fact that he's not here and he's back at home training by himself is curious.

"Fans may be unhappy to see someone high profile departing when Pompey haven't brought many players in."

BBC Radio Solent's Chris Wise talks to Pompey commentator Andrew Moon, who is currently out with the squad on the pre-season tour of Slovakia, about the imminent departure of Matt Ritchie in the first episode of Who Needs Mourinho? of the 2025-26 campaign.

There's also your questions answered in Moon's Musings.

Listen to the full episode of Who Needs Mourinho? and more on BBC Sounds.

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator

Image source, Andrew Moon

Today, Pompey held an open training session. More than 50 fans were in attendance.

There were a few Slovakians and some expats who live nearby but plenty who flew over from Hampshire.

Some only arrived yesterday and are going home tomorrow! The players happily mingled with them afterwards.

John Mousinho then revealed afterwards that both Matt Ritchie and Abdoulaye Kamara will be leaving the club. Neither are out here.

There's no surprise with Kamara, who barely featured last season. However, Ritchie's homecoming last summer was a hugely popular move and he played 41 times last season.

Another departure means another arrival will be required. There has still only been one so far but there is optimism that might change in the coming days.

Portsmouth winger Josh Murphy says he arrives on the club's pre-season tour of Slovakia on the back of the best season of his career so far.

The 30-year-old scored seven times and provided 14 assists in the Championship for Pompey after joining from Oxford United last summer.

"The main thing was the consistency and performing at a good level all season where as before I've just done it in bits and pieces," Murphy told BBC Radio Solent.

"I was very happy with the output but now that's just the benchmark and I want to get replicate again this year.

"It probably took me longer to figure things out mentally and be able to cope with the down times and the good times but I'm now at an age where I've probably found the right balance.

"Hopefully, 30 is the new 20."

Listen to the full interview with Josh Murphy and more on BBC Sounds.

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator

Image source, Andrew Moon

After four days of intense work in their pre-season training camp, the Pompey squad were given some down time.

Some of the players headed into Bratislava's old town, while others made use of the spa in the hotel. The coaching staff opted for a bike ride.

I even managed a gentle run along the River Danube behind the hotel which separates Slovakia from Hungary.

Winger Matt Ritchie is not here in Slovakia and it appears his second Pompey spell could be coming to an end.

The squad are holding an open training session for fans tomorrow morning. Head Coach John Mousinho will speak to the media after the session, which should provide clarity on the Ritchie situation.

BBC Radio Solent are hosting a fan forum for Pompey supporters on Monday 4 August and would love you to come along.

The panel - chief executive Andy Cullen, men's head coach John Mousinho, women's head coach Jay Sadler and a men's first-team player will face an hour of fans questions at the Victory Suite at Fratton Park from 19:00 BST.

The best part? It comes at no cost, just email Solent.Sport@bbc.co.uk to claim your free tickets (maximum of four per person).

If you can't make it in person, no problem. The event will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Solent and BBC Sounds.

Portsmouth defender Ibane Bowat says he has a feeling of "envy" after having been sidelined last season with a knee injury.

The Scotland Under-21 international joined Pompey in August 2024 but has yet to make an appearance for his new club after suffering a tendon tear in his right knee the following month.

"Having been on the side for so long, I've cultivated this envy inside me," Bowat told BBC Radio Solent.

"Hearing and feeling that atmosphere at Fratton Park is incredible, I've not really seen it at any other stadiums like that.

"So to be able to step on that pitch is a feeling I'm really looking forward to."

The 22-year-old admits it's difficult to put a timeline on his recovery but "hopes" to be given the all-clear for Pompey's first game of the season against Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium.

He added: "I've been speaking with the doctors and the physio staff and they are quite confident that it can happen.

"If everything keeps on going smoothly then hopefully I'll be fit and ready."

Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator

Image source, Andrew Moon

There's no sign of the British heat wave in Slovakia. Today is the second consecutive day Portsmouth have trained in the gloom and rain - not the 35 degree temperatures usually found on pre-season trips.

Portsmouth have two trialists with the group, former West Brom and Crystal Palace defender Nathan Ferguson and goalkeeper Stuart Moore.

They aren't quite short of numbers but do need further additions in the coming weeks.

Adrian Segecic is the only new face to join this summer and he looked sharp in training today.

Pre-season can be hard work. Some of the players have done two training sessions on the grass and a gym session today.

John Mousinho works everyone hard on these trips.

Portsmouth forward Adrian Segecic says that boss John Mousinho gave him "goosebumps" when persuading him to move to England.

The Australian became Pompey's first signing of the summer in June when he joined from A League side Sydney FC.

"When I spoke to [Mousinho], the thing that caught me is how you've just got to look at a manager and know that you just want to fight for him," Segecic told BBC Radio Solent.

"He gave me goosebumps and I thought that's a manager who is going to get the best out of me."

It is the 21-year-old's first transfer having moved up into Sydney FC's first team in 2023 from their under-21's squad.

"It was a big moment. It was the first time I could say in the last nine years that I've changed clubs now," Segecic added.

"I had a good season and a lot of clubs I talked to but there was just something about Pompey I was drawn to."

Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

A new date has been confirmed for the first south-coast derby of next season between Southampton and Portsmouth.

St Mary's will host the first meeting between the two teams, on Sunday 14 September - the match was initially scheduled for the Saturday.

The second league game, which will be held at Pompey's Fratton Park, is currently set for the end of January.

Saints were relegated from the Premier League last season, while Pompey finished 16th in the Championship.

This will be the first meeting between the sides since 2019, when Southampton won at Fratton Park in the League Cup, and the first league match since 2012.

Image source, Rex Features

Portsmouth still want five or six more new additions to their squad for the new Championship season but they may not happen quickly, says boss John Mousinho.

Pompey have so far signed only forward Adrian Segecic from Sydney FC this summer and Mousinho is willing to be patient in his search for further new recruits.

"It's been relatively slow in the Championship - it's a strange season because there are still Premier League clubs playing in the Club World Cup which is more like an extension of the 2024-25 season," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"Combine that with the under-19s and under-21s (European Championships) it means movement in the market around the Championship is very slow but I expect that to pick up in the next couple of weeks."

After a slow start last season where Portsmouth failed to win any of their opening nine league games they went on to finish 16th in the table and the head coach is predicting a quieter time in the transfer window.

"It won't be anywhere near as busy as it was for the previous couple of summers but if we make five or six more additions we'll be there," he added.

Portsmouth open the new Championship campaign at Oxford United - the club with whom Mousinho ended his playing career - on 9 August.

The News' chief sports writer Neil Allen says Fratton Park helped Portsmouth through their "baptism of fire" last season - but the club need to string together some away wins in their upcoming second season in the Championship.

Pompey won 11 home games in the second tier last season compared to just three on the road.

"We saw how massive Fratton Park was for Pompey because of the atmosphere, the support, the rapport between the team and the fans. Pompey were beating people left, right and centre there," Allen told BBC Radio Solent.

"Leeds lost there. Burnley drew there. Sheffield United drew there. It was a real fortress.

"But they also need to dramatically improve their away form, with three away wins all season, which is terrible and that's in all competitions as well."

Portsmouth will begin the 2024-25 season with a trip to Oxford United before hosting Norwich City in their first home game the following week.

Listen to Allen's full thoughts and more on BBC Sounds.

The EFL fixture list is out and we know you are bursting to know what you've got to look forward to - or dread - from your team this upcoming season.

Here are some key dates to put in your diary:

• 9 August - v Oxford United (A)

• 16 August - v Norwich (H)

• 13 September - v Southampton (A)

• 26 December - v QPR (H)

• 1 January 2026 - v Bristol City (A)

• 24 January - v Southampton (H)

• 2 May - v Birmingham (H)

See Portsmouth's full fixture list here.

Your club will soon discover their schedule for the upcoming EFL season. As soon as Thursday, in fact.

Want to know who your side will face on opening day? The EFL fixtures will be announced at 12:00 BST - but that's not all.

The day will be rounded off by the first round of Carabao Cup being drawn at 16:30 BST.

So check back on 26 June to see who your team faces first, last and everything in between.

Image source, Portsmouth FC

Portsmouth players have returned from their holidays to begin the first phase of pre-season.

The club posted pictures of the players undergoing testing and some light running on the grass at their training centre.

The fixtures for the new Championship season are released at 12:00 BST on Thursday.

Portsmouth will be aiming to build on their 16th-place finish last term, which they ended with a five-match unbeaten run.