Portsmouth

Image source, Rex Features

Anthony Scully has returned to Portsmouth after Colchester opted to end his loan spell.

The forward moved to the League Two side on deadline day in August to play under former Blues boss Danny Cowley.

He struck once in nine appearances before struggling with injury, returning to Portsmouth to have a plate removed from his ankle injury in November.

Scully is currently facing more time on the sidelines with a March return date circled for a possible return to full fitness.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley said, external that Scully could return for another spell at the Essex club before the end of the season.

Image source, Rex Features

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has been speaking to the press ahead of the trip to Blackburn on Wednesday night. Here's what he told BBC Radio Solent:

• Midfielder Isaac Hayden could make his debut after signing on loan from Newcastle. "It's really good to have him with us," said Mousinho. "We wanted to bring in somebody who could impact the starting XI and we think Isaac could do that."

• On signing more players in the January transfer window, Mousinho said: "Nothing this week, nothing is imminent before the game tomorrow. Plenty of irons in the fire but nothing that's ready to go."

• When asked if there could be any more incomings before the weekend, Mousinho said: "Perhaps."

• Mousinho said Blackburn have had a "fantastic" first half of the season. "I think they pose a real threat, they've got a really good system," he said. "I think John [Eustace] is a really good coach and it's going to be a really tough game."

• On the latest team news, Mousinho confirmed goalkeeper Jordan Archer is having a scan on a quad injury he picked up in the 2-0 defeat at Wycombe in the FA Cup on Friday night and his availability will depend on the outcome of those checks.

• Defender Conor Shaughnessy returned to training today for the first time since tearing his calf in November, but is still two to three weeks away from being available for selection.

• Centre-back Regan Poole is expected back in training next week following a hamstring issue which has kept him out since going off at half-time in the 0-0 draw with Norwich on 10 December.

• Meanwhile, left-back Jacob Farrell, who has only made one appearance since joining from Australian champions Central Coast Mariners in July, is set for knee surgery on Tuesday and will miss the rest of the season.

Blackburn Rovers seek a return to the play-off spots as they host relegation-threatened Portsmouth on Wednesday (19:45 GMT).

Rovers have not won any of their past five league games to see themselves drop out of the top six, just one point shy of West Bromwich Albion and two away from Middlesbrough in sixth and fifth respectively.

However, they did beat Boro on Saturday to advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup and will be hoping the victory reignites winning ways.

Meanwhile, Pompey lost out to League One's Wycombe Wanderers in their cup tie on Friday and will drop into the bottom three if Cardiff City avoid defeat against Watford on Tuesday.

• Blackburn Rovers are unbeaten across their past five league games against Portsmouth (W4 D1) and will be looking to win three matches in succession against Pompey for the first time since January 2006.

• Since 1985, Portsmouth have won just two of their 16 away league games against Blackburn Rovers (D3 L11), with both of those victories coming in the Premier League (2-1 in March 2004 & 1-0 in September 2007). During that run, Pompey have netted just 10 goals in total and more than one in a match just once.

• After a six-game winning streak in the league between November and December, Blackburn are without a win in their last five such games (D2 L3), losing each of their last two at Ewood Park.

• Portsmouth have lost each of their past four away league games, failing to score in three of those games and conceding 10.

• Portsmouth's Josh Murphy is one of only four players in the Championship this season with at least five goals and five assists, scoring and assisting in a game already in 2025 against Swansea City.

Brisbane Roar's teenage striker Thomas Waddingham was left out of the A-League side's squad this weekend amid speculation over a bid from Sheffield Wednesday, with QPR and Portsmouth also interested. (Sheffield Star, external)

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho won't being in any more midfielders after the loan of Isaac Hayden and is looking to strengthen at the other ends of the pitch. (The News, external)

Want more EFL transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column.

Portsmouth visit League One high-fliers Wycombe in the FA Cup third round on Friday (19:45 GMT).

• Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth have met once before in the FA Cup, during a first round match in November 2016 with the Chairboys winning 2-1.

• Portsmouth have alternated between defeat (3) and victory (3) in their last six away games against Wycombe in all competitions, winning 3-1 in League One last season.

• Wycombe have progressed from just three of their 12 FA Cup third round ties in club history. However, one of these was in their last appearance at this stage, beating Championship side Preston 4-1 in 2020-21.

• Portsmouth haven't reached the FA Cup fourth round since 2019-20 when they beat Fleetwood Town 2-1 at this stage of the competition.

• Portsmouth have progressed from six of their past seven FA Cup third round ties against sides from a lower division, though that sole defeat came during their last such match in a 3-1 defeat to Brighton in 2011.

Portsmouth are poised to confirm the loan arrival of Isaac Hayden from Newcastle United, beating a number of their Championship rivals to the midfielder. (The Portsmouth News, external)

Want more EFL transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column.

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent Portsmouth commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Elias Sorensen arrived in the summer with Pompey still reeling from the news that Colby Bishop required heart surgery.

The Dane had a memorable debut scoring away at Leeds United but hasn't found the net since.

His game time became minimal in the past couple of months and he struggled to impact Championship matches.

It's also understood there were personal challenges moving to England.

Pompey will be pleased to recoup the fee they paid for him.

As he'd already appeared for Danish side Esbjerg this campaign he couldn't sign for a third club this season due to FIFA rules.

However, because the Norwegian season runs from March to November he will be able to appear for Valerenga when their campaign gets underway.

Image source, Getty Images

Portsmouth have confirmed the departure of striker Elias Sorensen to Norwegian side Valerenga just five months after his arrival at Fratton Park.

The 25-year-old Danish forward joined Pompey from Esbjerg in August on a three-year contract and made a total of 13 appearances.

He scored one goal which came on his debut against Leeds in August to help his side to a 3-3 draw.

Boss John Mousinho said: "It has been a pleasure working with Eli over the past few months and we wish him all the best for the future.

"It hasn't quite worked out for him here, but that certainly wasn't down to a lack of effort on his part."

Portsmouth striker Elias Sorensen is set to join Norwegian side Valerenga despite only signing for Pompey in the summer. (Tipsbladet - in Danish, external)

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

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent Portsmouth Commentator

Image source, Portsmouth FC

BBC Radio Solent has learned that Portsmouth striker Elias Sorensen has flown to Norway to complete a move to newly promoted Valerenga.

The 25-year-old only arrived at Fratton Park in the summer, joining from Danish club Esbjerg.

He scored on his Pompey debut away at Leeds on the opening day of the season but that turned out to be his only Blues goal.

The former Denmark Under-21 international has made 13 appearances in total but played just 19 minutes since being taken off at half-time away at Cardiff on 22 October.

It is understood Portsmouth will receive a fee of around £250,000, similar to the amount they paid for him.

Sorensen previously spent five years at Newcastle United and had loan spells at Blackpool and Carlisle United.

Image source, Rex Features

Portsmouth defender Jacob Farrell has suffered a setback in his recovery from a serious knee injury.

The Australian has only been able to make one appearance for Pompey since moving from Australian champions Central Coast Mariners in July.

Farrell was injured in a training session just days after making his debut against Sheffield United in September.

"Jacob has unfortunately had a bit of a setback as he's opened up his MCL again so we're looking at options in terms of what we do," Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.

"He saw a specialist earlier this week - it's the same injury and we're gutted for Jacob as he was back and close."

The 22-year-old won two A-League Grand Finals in Australia as well as a Premiership title and AFC Cup.

"We don't have a lot of information yet but if we go down the route of surgery we have to make sure when he comes back he's fully fit off the back of it," added Mousinho.

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent commentator

Image source, PA Media

It was a much better performance compared to some we have seen on the road from Portsmouth recently, but still not quite good enough to get anything from their match at Sunderland.

Pompey gave away a sloppy early goal but were more solid after that. Rob Atkinson looked good after coming off the bench for his debut.

They had their chances on the break but were not as clinical as they needed to be in front of goal.

The home form has been excellent but it is now four losses in a row on the road.

Portsmouth cannot rely exclusively on their home form to keep them out of the bottom three.

Image source, Getty Images

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho was happy with an improved showing on the road despite falling to a narrow defeat at Sunderland.

The 1-0 loss at the Stadium of Light was a fourth consecutive one on the road, which has included losing 3-0 at Bristol City and 4-0 at Derby County.

Pompey have only won once away this season - at QPR in October - and have collected seven out of a possible 39 points away from home.

That leaves them only outside the bottom three on goals scored, but Mousinho admits that the performance on Wearside was far better than that at Ashton Gate seven days before.

"It was chalk and cheese from the last away performance, much, much better and a huge amount of improvement but some tiny bits to do to make sure we get there," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"I'm really, really positive off the back of that performance. I thought for large parts, we were really good."