‘Unreal’ Defender Hayden Matthews Gives Portsmouth a Timely Lift Ahead of Pre-Season…
Hayden Matthews has handed Portsmouth a much-needed fitness boost as the squad gears up for the start of pre-season training.
The centre-back, signed from Sydney FC for £1.2 million in January, had his promising start at Fratton Park halted after picking up ankle ligament damage during the closing moments of Pompey’s win over QPR on February 22.
His injury sidelined him just as he was making a strong impression, having featured in six standout matches as he was quickly integrated into the club’s fight to remain in the Championship.
Unfortunately, Matthews spent the remainder of the season watching from the sidelines as his teammates defied expectations to secure survival with two matches to spare.
Now, nearly four months on from the injury, Matthews has shown he’s fully recovered and is set to participate in pre-season training, which kicks off on June 23.
His return is a welcome development for head coach John Mousinho, who will be eager to see a full-strength squad return from their summer break in good shape for the upcoming campaign.
Before the season wrapped up in May, Matthews was one of five players in the treatment room alongside Ibane Bowat, Jacob Farrell, Paddy Lane, and Jordan Williams.
Encouragingly, all five are expected to be fit in time to join the squad’s pre-season preparations, including a warm-weather training camp in Slovakia in early July.
