Portsmouth boss John Mousinho has said the club are happy to let Adam Webster practice with the first-team but says there has been no approach for the defender at this stage.

Pompey have made an indifferent start to the campaign, picking up eight points from seven matches to sit 19th in the league.

Mousinho will be pleased with how his side have generally been defensively solid, but Benjy Arthur is set for a long spell out, and Conor Shaughnessy has a groin problem, leaving Madiodio Dia and Regan Poole as the only two fit center-backs ahead of Sunday’s clash with bitter rivals Southampton.

Portsmouth are willing to let free agent Adam Webster practice with John Mousinho’s squad

So there has been talk among certain supporters of the club going into the free agent market to beef up the team with Webster one man now trying to get back into the game.

The 31-year-old progressed through the ranks at Fratton Park and departed Brighton in the summer after seven years with the Premier League side.

Adam Webster Career Stats (Source: Transfermarkt)

Club

Appearances

Portsmouth, England

Aldershot Town (loans)

Ipswich Town FC

Bristol City FC

Brighton

158

However, a significant knee injury curtailed his final season at the club, and Webster missed pre-season as he completed his recovery.

But he is edging closer to a return and it has been reported that Portsmouth will allow their ex-player to work with Mousinho’s team in an attempt to improve his fitness levels.

Adam Webster’s likely Portsmouth move assessed by John Mousinho

That has naturally led to talk of Pompey looking to offer Webster a contract, especially given their problems in central defence.

Mousinho, however, downplayed suggestions any deal could be on the table when speaking to the Portsmouth News, but he did say they would ‘look at’ bringing Webster in.

“If there’s an opportunity that comes up where there’s a question mark over whether he (Webster) can come and train, that’s something we’d definitely have a look at,” Mousinho added.

“We wouldn’t turn that off, especially if it’s a player of that high calibre. But there is nothing in that at the moment.

Pompey have three places in their 25-man squad available and Mousinho confirmed that the intention is to register Connor Ogilvie, Josh Murphy and Keshi Anderson when they are fit.

Portsmouth are right to look at Adam Webster transfer move

Of course, when Pompey’s players are back fit there will be no room for Webster if they register those players. But the club deserve credit for leaving those spaces open for now, since it means they can adjust their plans.

Clearly they’ve got problems at the back and if a player of the calibre of Webster is willing to come in then it’s something you’ve got to think about because he is a strong, powerful center-back and would bring leadership too.

Yes, he’s had injury concerns in the past and that is a concern but he is someone who has done well in the Premier League for most of his career.

He is only 31 and should still have so much to contribute and it would be a big coup for Pompey if they could persuade the player to go back to the club where it all started for him.

Mousinho’s words suggest nothing is imminent but if Webster did train with the club it would suggest there could be an openness to a move from either side.

So this could be one to watch. Portsmouth will want to have a careful look at Webster since they will need to see if he can cope with the demands of the Championship.