‘First time’ – Portsmouth and New Zealander winger Luke Brooke-Smith provides major update following horror training ground injury

Portsmouth winger Luke Brooke-Smith has shared a major recovery update after returning to work with a football in the gym. The 18-year-old New Zealand international posted video footage of himself completing keepy-uppies at the club's Hilsea training ground, marking a significant milestone approximately nine weeks after suffering a severe training ground injury.

Brooke-Smith dislocated his ankle, fractured his fibula, and suffered ligament damage during September, requiring surgery with a rope implant. Signed from Wellington Phoenix for £400,000 in July, he made four appearances under John Mousinho before the setback. He has missed 11 matches, with an expected return set for early in the new year.