Rob Atkinson left Bristol City on loan during the January transfer window, joining Portsmouth for the remainder of the seasonRob Atkinson’s Bristol City contract expires in the summer of 2026(Image: EFL)

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has honestly admitted he doesn’t know if Bristol City being promoted to the Premier League would change his side’s ability to bring Rob Atkinson back to Fratton Park during the summer transfer window.

Atkinson departed Ashton Gate on loan in January, linking up with his former Oxford United teammate Mousinho on the South Coast for the second half of the season, having not made a first-team appearance for the Robins in almost two years following an ACL injury and subsequent hamstring issues. Liam Manning’s hope was that the 26-year-old’s time with the Hampshire club would help him build his confidence and match fitness in a way that simply wasn’t possible in BS3.

While a calf injury has interrupted his spell at Fratton Park, the defender has made a good impression in his time with Portsmouth with many supporters urging Pompey to make his stay permanent. At this stage, Atkinson has admitted he has “absolutely no clue” what his future holds beyond this season with his contract with the Reds running until the summer of 2026.

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Without the 26-year-old’s services, the Robins have found themselves in the play-off places with just four matches remaining of the regular season. Although nothing has yet been decided, there is a chance Manning’s side could be playing Premier League football next term.

At this stage, Mousinho isn’t sure how such a promotion would impact Atkinson’s position at Ashton Gate, but he has suggested conversations will be held once both clubs know what league they’ll be a part of next term.

“I honestly don’t know,” the Pompey head coach told BBC Radio Solent when asked if the dynamics of Atkinson’s future would change if the Reds were promoted. “We haven’t had that conversation with Bristol City yet. We’ve got a brilliant relationship with the club, they were excellent when they let Rob out.

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“We played them, I think, on December 29, I spoke to Liam and Chris Hogg after the game and sort of said, ‘the second the window’s open, if Rob’s available can we have him?’ They said yes which was great and I think there were a few other clubs interested, luckily we managed to get hold of Rob so they’ll be open with us but their concentration has got to be on trying to get into the play-offs and trying to get into the Premier League.

“We’ve got a different focus and as soon as both of those things are resolved, we can pick up the phone and have that conversation.”

Having missed seven matches with a calf injury sustained in Portsmouth’s win over QPR in February, Atkinson returned to the Pompey starting line-up with a brace in their draw with Derby County. The 26-year-old headed home in both the 71st and 91st minute to help his loan team to a vital point as they look to secure their place in the Championship next season.

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Pompey currently sit 19th in the table, four points clear of Cardiff City and the relegation zone with just four games remaining of the regular campaign. Atkinson, and his teammates, have the chance to move closer to safety over the Easter weekend as they travel to Carrow Road to face Norwich City on Good Friday before welcoming Watford to Fratton Park on Easter Monday.

Although his side have typically performed better when the City loanee has started matches, Mousinho has suggested the 26-year-old is not yet ready to start two games in the space of just four days.

“Probably not I don’t think,” the Portsmouth head coach replied when asked if Atkinson could play against both Norwich and Watford. “Rob was dead on his feet as you saw.

“I think it’s highly unlikely, I think we did well to get 100 minutes out of him at the weekend considering everything that he’s been through and the nature of the game as well. Unlikely he’ll feature in both.”

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