Portsmouth handed timely striker boost with forgotten man poised to complete long-awaited injury return

Thomas Waddingham is closing in on a much-anticipated return to the pitch after an injury-hit season at Fratton Park. The Australian forward has endured a difficult campaign on the south coast, having been sidelined for five months following a quad injury picked up in training ahead of September’s south-coast derby with Southampton.
As a result, the 20-year-old has been restricted to just five appearances in all competitions this term. That setback followed an already frustrating spell after his January 2025 arrival, during which groin and hamstring issues disrupted the latter stages of last season.
However, there is now renewed optimism around Waddingham’s recovery, with the striker expected to make his comeback against Sheffield United next week. His return would come as a timely boost for head coach John Mousinho, who has been grappling with limited attacking options.
Waddingham is on course to be involved when the Blades visit Fratton Park on February 14, a development Mousinho confirmed while assessing his forward line.
“Colby was starting to find his best form of the season before his injury,” Mousinho said. “He wasn’t scoring, but he was extremely tough to play against, so losing him was a blow. Behind that, we’ve had Makenzie and Tom Waddingham, and Tom should be available for the Sheffield United game.
“That gives us a bit more confidence, because with Tom back we’ll have three recognised centre-forwards. Milli can also play there, which gives us some flexibility.”
Since joining Pompey last January, Waddingham has been limited to just 10 appearances due to three separate injury problems. His only goal so far came on his debut in last season’s 5-1 defeat at West Brom.
Speaking in December, Mousinho highlighted just how highly the club rates the young striker as he continues to adapt to English football.
“We signed Tom in January with the idea of giving him four or five months to develop, but he progressed quicker than we expected and made an impact on the first team,” Mousinho told The News. “He earned a start away at Coventry, and without the injury he would have featured more towards the end of last season.
“He put himself ahead of some very good centre-forwards we had at the club at the time. Players like Mark O’Mahony, Kusini Yengi and Christian Saydee were all around, and Tom gave us real selection headaches.
“We’ve really missed him, especially after what he showed in pre-season. He’s a hugely rated young player – the key now is staying fit.
“You can manage him carefully early on, but ultimately you have to commit fully. He needs minutes, he needs games, and he needs to build up to playing 90 minutes. At some point, you have to trust the rehab work and what he’s been doing over the last few months.”