Returning Pompey defender reflects on 'lonely place' as he looks to kick on

One of Pompey's returning casualties has spoken of the tough time he has had on the sidelines.

Defender Tom McIntyre was seriously injured on his Pompey debut last February and has been out since, but he was back in the starting XI for last Sunday's home defeat to West Brom.

Regan Poole made his comeback in the same game - replacing McIntyre in the second half - though ironically this came on the same day it was revealed another centre half, Ibane Bowat, would be out for around six months after injuring his knee in a freak incident in training.

McIntyre told the club media after the game: 'It was brilliant (to be back/0. I’m sure everyone can imagine just how frustrating it’s been for me over the past few months.

'I’d just signed for the club and was looking to kick on, but it obviously didn’t really work out like that. Then I hurt my hamstring in pre-season after finding out my dad was ill a few days earlier, so it was tough.

'Things like that do happen when you’re returning from a long-term injury and you have to work hard to get back. It can be a lonely place – especially when there’s such excitement in the group about going into the Championship. That’s when you’ve got to stay strong to come out the other side.

'But I’m hoping that I can now put all of that behind me and show the Pompey fans what I’m capable of. With time and minutes on the pitch, I can get that sharpness back and try to make my stamp on the team.'

McIntyre seems likely to start at Burnley on Saturday - and could even be partnered by Poole, a duo Blues fans have yet to see play together.

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