Former Liverpool youth player Harvey Blair has been encouraged to participate in preseason matches to keep pace with his Portsmouth colleagues.

Blair, who was part of Liverpool's renowned academy from under-12 level, transferred to Fratton Park last summer.

The 21-year-old forward made his senior debut for the Reds in October 2021 against Preston North End in the Carabao Cup and was a regular feature in Arne Slot's preseason line-up last summer, playing in friendlies against Preston, Real Betis, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Las Palmas.

As Blair works towards regaining full fitness following a hamstring injury sustained against Hull City on the final day of last season, his manager, John Mousinho, has urged him to play as many pre-season games as possible to prepare for the upcoming season.

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"Harvey's doing well, but it's important for him to get back (as quickly as he can)," he told the Portsmouth News.

"He's been out for more than nine weeks now with a pretty severe hamstring tear

Harvey Blair is now on Portsmouth's roster

"We saw glimpses of what Harvey is capable of before that at the end of the season.

"He had that cameo against Millwall and then played against Sheffield Wednesday and scored.

"Even against Hull in getting injured he carried the ball 70 yards, leaving three or four players stood still.

"We know what Harvey is capable of and we want him to get back to that.

"The physical side is really important and he needs to get fit, because when he's been fit, he's looked good.

"I think we saw that in the Sheffield Wednesday game

We need him to play pre-season games, so he's ready to kick on."

Reflecting on his inaugural season at Fratton Park back in April, Blair stated: "It's been a rollercoaster season for me, but I just need to keep my head down, keep working hard and make sure next season I'm firing on all cylinders.

"All the lads have been unbelievable since the day I came in, welcomed me with open arms, and I couldn't ask for any more."


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