Blues to keep full-back for another year

Pompey are to hand Connor Ogilvie a Pompey future – and fresh attacking remit – as John Mousinho plots a new promotion challenge.

The Blues intend to activate their contract option on the 27-year-old, thereby retaining him for another 12 months.

It’s a no-brainer for Mousinho, who, in recent weeks, has encouraged the former Spurs man to take on greater attacking responsibility.

It was particularly evident in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Wycombe, when Ogilvie should have had a hat-trick.

And he remains very much part of Mousinho’s plans.

The Blues’ boss told The News: ‘Wycombe was one of the most productive attacking games Connor’s had, we like him in that position.

‘He absolutely worked his socks off, was up and down all day, while also carried out a tough task in marking David Wheeler, one of the more physical right-sided players in League One.

‘I wouldn’t say he is pigeonholed, but you think of Connor as a very, very solid left-back – yet I believe he also has a huge amount to offer in attack.

‘He’s been involved in some of the really good moments this season, such as Burton at home where he got the assist, the sending off against Sheffield Wednesday, and winning the second penalty against Port Vale.

‘He can get forward, has good quality and can also score. We want to keep encouraging that, it’s something we have been looking at.

‘One of the most pleasing things against Wycombe was how he got forward more but we weren’t hugely exposed at the back. We worked that very, very well and were pretty secure, not getting countered a huge amount.

‘The modern full-back does like to get forward and get into the box, and we want to encourage that.’