Rob Atkinson hasn’t made a first-team appearance for Bristol City since February 2023 when he suffered an ACL injuryRob Atkinson left Bristol City on loan during the January transfer window(Image: Getty Images)

Liam Manning has discussed Rob Atkinson’s future beyond the end of his loan spell with Portsmouth, insisting Bristol City will “get to the end of the season” before making any decisions after John Mousinho confirmed his interest in re-signing the defender.

Atkinson was one of three senior players to depart Ashton Gate on loan during the January transfer window, re-uniting with former Oxford United teammate Mousinho at Fratton Park for the second half of the season. Prior to his spell on the South Coast, the 26-year-old hadn’t made a competitive first-team appearance for almost two years following an ACL injury and subsequent hamstring issues.

Although his time on loan has been interrupted by a calf issue, the centre-back has made a real impression on both the Pompey support and Mousinho, with the Portsmouth boss admitting earlier this week he would be interested in securing Atkinson’s services this summer if the Reds are to make him available.

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With two games still to play of the regular season and with a place in the Championship play-offs within the Robins’ grasp, Manning insists his focus remains on the remainder of the run-in rather than what will happen to the 26-year-old during the summer window. However, the City boss was quick to praise both Atkinson and Mousinho their work over the last four months.

“It’s the same as probably Rob and myself,” the head coach told Bristol Live on Thursday afternoon. “I think so much is going into getting to the end of the season here first and then naturally, the conversations will happen on situations, scenarios, and what things look like.

“I’m delighted for Rob, it was obviously one of those where he missed a large chunk of football through injury so the fact that he’s been able to get back in and start putting minutes together, that was the reason for the loan because it was quite unlikely it was going to happen here instantly with where we were at so it’s been really good for him.

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“How John’s handled him has been excellent as well so it will be one of those where we’ll get to the end of the season and see.”

Having won promotion to the second tier as League One winners last season, Portsmouth confirmed their place in next season’s Championship with two games still to play following their 1-0 win over Watford on Easter Monday. Mousinho’s side currently sit 16th in the table, six points clear of Luton Town and the relegation zone with matches against Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City to come over the next eight days.

Atkinson has played an important role in Pompey’s success in the second half of the campaign. In the 11 matches the 26-year-old has started since moving to the South Coast, Mousinho’s side has picked up 23 points whilst only managing to claim six from the nine games the Robins loanee sat out.

Although the upturn in from is not all the defender’s own doing, he has stood out at times, particularly in the draw with Derby County where he scored a second-half brace, and an own goal to secure an unorthodox hattrick.

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Had the former Oxford United man remained at Ashton Gate this winter, he would have more than likely been called upon in recent weeks. The departure of Kal Naismith later in the January transfer window partnered with season-ending injuries to both Luke McNally and Mark Sykes, and potentially Cam Pring, have left Manning and the Reds rather short of defensive cover.

The likes of Haydon Roberts, George Tanner and Ross McCrorie have had to fill in out of position at times and that will likely remain the case over the final two games of the campaign. Manning’s side’s final away match of the season sees them travel to Elland Road to face already-promoted Leeds United on Monday evening before they welcome Preston North End to BS3 on the final day of the season.

A win in either of those two games will be enough to guarantee the Reds a place in the play-offs.

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