John Mousinho has confirmed Portsmouth are interested in signing Rob Atkinson this summer if the Bristol City defender is available, insisting “it’s not beyond the realm of possibility” he could return to Fratton Park after his loan spell.
Atkinson was one of three senior players to depart Ashton Gate on loan during the January transfer window, linking up with his former Oxford United teammate Mousinho on the South Coast with the aim of rebuilding his confidence in his body and match fitness. Prior to his spell with Pompey, the 26-year-old hadn’t made a first-team appearance for almost two years after suffering an ACL injury in February 2023, which was followed by a string of hamstring issues.
Despite missing a handful of games with a calf injury, the centre-back’s loan spell has been a success. So far, the City loanee has made 12 Championship appearances, scored two goals and helped Portsmouth dodge the drop to confirm their place in the second tier with two games to spare.
Although Atkinson’s move to Fratton Park is understood to be a straight loan, his displays in the second half of the campaign have ensured Mousinho is keen to extend his stay beyond the end of the season, even if it is not yet clear what the Robins’ plan for the defender is this summer.
“I think there’s a chance of keeping him,” the Pompey boss told The News. “It depends on what Bristol City do. He’s not our player, but they know how much we like him and we’ve got a very good relationship with them. We’ll see.
“Certainly if Rob is available this summer we are interested. I know he has enjoyed his time here, it has been a new lease of life for his career as well. Having spent two years out, it has been great for him.
“If we can do something, we will certainly try. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility of getting him back, I don’t think so at all. Obviously he is a Bristol City player and it’s going to be up to them what they do. Hopefully, they haven’t watched his last three games.
“We will just see what happens, but we’ll hopefully be at the front of the queue.”
Since making the move to Fratton Park four months ago, Atkinson has insisted nothing has yet been decided when it comes to his future beyond this season. After his brace against Derby County less than two weeks ago, the 26-year-old confessed he had “absolutely no idea” what the future holds before admitting “anything can happen” this summer.
The Portsmouth loanee isn’t the only player set to return to the West Country come the end of the season. Josh Stokes, Jamie Knight-Lebel, Seb Palmer-Houlden, Fally Mayulu and Ephraim Yeboah are all due to head back to Ashton Gate in the coming weeks and months following their loan spells with Cambridge United, Crewe Alexandra, Dundee, Sturm Graz and Dunfermline respectively.
Decisions around the next steps for all the returning loanees are likely to be impacted by what division the Robins find themselves in next season. With just two matches remaining of the regular Championship season, Liam Manning’s side sit fifth in the table, one point clear of sixth-placed Coventry City and four ahead of seventh-placed Middlesbrough.
Although nothing has been confirmed at this stage, the Reds are a win away from booking their place in the play-off places and could in turn win promotion to the Premier League.
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