Championship newcomers Portsmouth have informed their winger Anthony Scully that he will no longer be part of the squad for the upcoming season, according to manager John Mousinho.
The former Lincoln City man has been made available for transfer and not included in the club’s 19-man squad for their friendly fixture against League Two side MK Dons.
The 25-year-old linked up with Pompey in 2023 but has found his impact diminished by persistent injuries that have resulted in him only making nine appearances to date. The Irishman has fought his way back to full fitness ahead of the new season, but with the club’s promotion to the second-tier last season opportunities will become further restricted.
What has been said?
Mousinho, speaking to The News (Portsmouth) admitted the winger’s time at the club is coming to an end:
‘For us at the football club, it is probably the right time.
‘We’ve had a look at everything pre-season and maybe it’s a good time for both parties to shake hands and part ways if we can find something which is mutually agreeable.
‘He’s still training with us, just didn’t travel with us. He wasn’t going to get the minutes, so there was no point in him travelling.
‘Everything is amicable, and we’ll try to find the best thing, it might be another club.’
Where next for the forward?
The issue for Scully is his lack of football since leaving Sincil Bank in September 2022. In the 22/23 season for Wigan Athletic he only appeared five times, and made only nine appearances for Portsmouth, totalling 14 first team games since he left the Imps.
Prior to this he had made 35 and 43 League appearances alone at Lincoln City, scoring 37 goals in 106 appearances across his time there. His last senior goal came against Oxford United in August 2022, where he also provided an assist for striker Tom Hopper.
He will need a club that has the patience and the squad depth that will allow him to regain his momentum as he enters his “peak” years. A League One move will probably be unlikely, despite having the talent there are few that would take the risk for a player that wouldn’t be worth more than a less risky third tier alternative. Former club Lincoln City tend to target a different type of player, despite moving for former fan favourites, Tyler Walker and Connor McGrandles in recent years.
Therefore, a move to League Two is perhaps most likely. The 25-year-old does have that star quality and could provide the difference between mid-table and a challenge towards the top of the fourth tier, should they manage to keep him on the grass for the majority of the season.