Portsmouth Teenager Luke Brooke-Smith Faces Season-Ending Injury
Portsmouth teenager Luke Brooke-Smith is facing the prospect of missing the rest of the season after suffering a serious ankle injury in training.
The 18-year-old winger, who arrived at Fratton Park in the summer from Wellington Phoenix on a permanent deal, dislocated his ankle in what has been described as a freak incident at the club’s training ground.
Injury Details
Pompey head coach John Mousinho confirmed the extent of the damage, outlining a grim early diagnosis.
"It's a really unfortunate one, he's suffered a severe ankle dislocation," Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent. "Off the back of that, there is a fracture on his fibula and significant ligament damage.
"It was dealt with really well by everyone at the training ground and he was taken to QA [Queen Alexandra Hospital] before being discharged. We're going to leave it to settle for a couple of days, but he will go in for surgery after that."
The setback halts what had been a promising start to life in English football for Brooke-Smith. Used carefully so far this campaign, he has made four appearances for Portsmouth, starting once in the Championship with three further outings from the bench.
For a teenager looking to break through, the timing is brutal.
Brooke-Smith's Response
Brooke-Smith addressed the injury on his Instagram page, laying bare the shock of the moment and the uncertainty that follows.
"No words with how I'm feeling right now," he wrote. "A freak incident in training causing me to dislocate my ankle, break fibula and potential ligament damage.
"As I don't know the severity yet I'm trying my best to stay positive in a really hard time for me. I will work my hardest to get back out on the pitch to play for this amazing club.
"Thank you to all the staff and players for getting around me."
Portsmouth will now prepare for the rest of the campaign without one of their brightest young wide options, while Brooke-Smith turns his focus to surgery, rehabilitation and the long road back to the Championship stage he has only just begun to taste.
