Josh Knight handed clear Reading challenge by Portsmouth sporting director

Josh Knight is still waiting to make his mark at Reading after joining the Royals from Portsmouth on a season-long loan.

The 29-year-old defender arrived at the club carrying a minor injury picked up during his time at Fratton Park, which has delayed his competitive debut.

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho, however, expects Knight to push hard for a place in the Reading team once he is fully fit.

“Josh was recovering from an injury he picked up with us, so he’ll be confident he can get himself into the Reading team once he’s fit and available,” Hughes explained to The News.

The Portsmouth chief played down the seriousness of the problem, describing it as only a small strain, and believes Knight should be ready to return after the international break.

Knight is among several Portsmouth players spending the season away from Fratton Park in search of regular first-team football. Hayden Matthews has joined Bradford City, while Makenzie Kirk is at Barnsley, with all three facing the same challenge of proving themselves at their temporary clubs.

Portsmouth want their loanees playing regularly, but Hughes made it clear that nobody is guaranteed a starting spot.

The message is simple: earn your place.

“They have to find a way of getting into those teams if they want to build a future with Portsmouth,” Hughes said, acknowledging that each player has different circumstances.

For Knight, the early injury setback has made his situation slightly different. But once he is available again, the expectation from Portsmouth is clear — he needs to fight his way into the Reading side and show that he can perform consistently at League One level.

The club still sees the loan as an important opportunity for Knight to prove he can have a future at Fratton Park.

“It’s still early in the season and things will begin to settle down,” Hughes added. “We want them playing, but they have to get into the teams and perform at League One level if they want to perform for Portsmouth Football Club.”

Now, with his injury frustration hopefully behind him, Knight will be desperate to get his Reading career moving and finally battle for a place in the Royals’ starting XI.