Luke Brooke-Smith Faces Surgery After Ankle Injury

Portsmouth teenager Luke Brooke-Smith is facing the prospect of missing the rest of the season after suffering a serious ankle injury in training.

The 18-year-old winger, who joined Pompey in the summer from Wellington Phoenix on a permanent deal, dislocated his ankle in what has been described as a freak incident at the club’s training ground.

Pompey head coach John Mousinho confirmed the extent of the damage, outlining a grim injury list for the youngster.

"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. It was dealt with really well by everyone at the training ground and he was taken to QA [Queen Alexandra Hospital] before being discharged.

"We're going to leave it to settle for a couple of days, but he will go in for surgery after that."

The timing is brutal for Brooke-Smith. Still in the very early stages of his English career, he has made four appearances for Portsmouth this season, including one Championship start, with his other outings coming from the bench. It was the kind of steady introduction that suggested a growing role as the campaign unfolded.

Instead, he now faces months on the sidelines.

Brooke-Smith addressed the injury on his Instagram page, laying bare the shock of what had happened.

"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."

For a teenager who crossed the world to chase his opportunity in the Championship, the setback is severe. His response will now be shaped not by minutes on the pitch, but by surgery, rehab, and the long grind back to fitness.