Portsmouth Teenager Luke Brooke-Smith Faces Season-Ending Injury

Portsmouth teenager Luke Brooke-Smith faces 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 during a session this week.

Pompey head coach John Mousinho revealed the extent of the damage, outlining a brutal blow for one of the club’s brightest young prospects.

"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."

Medical staff at the training ground reacted quickly before Brooke-Smith was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital. He has since been discharged.

"It was dealt with really well by everyone at the training ground and he was taken to QA before being discharged," Mousinho said. "We're going to leave it to settle for a couple of days, but he will go in for surgery after that."

The injury halts Brooke-Smith’s first campaign in English football just as he was beginning to feel his way into the Championship. He has made four appearances for Portsmouth so far this season, starting once in the league and coming off the bench in his other outings.

The winger later broke his silence on Instagram, laying bare the emotional impact of the setback.

"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 lose a lively wide option at a key stage of the campaign. Brooke-Smith now faces surgery, rehabilitation, and the long road back, determined to ensure this is a detour in his career rather than a defining moment.