Portsmouth defender Regan Poole makes key decision on his future away from Fratton Park as he proves his commitment

Regan Poole suddenly has more than just his Pompey comeback to look forward to.

That’s because the Blues defender has just popped the question to partner Lois Noble.

The 25-year-old, who has been out of Pompey action since suffering an ACL injury against Chesterfield last November, got down on one knee while on holiday in Santorini, Greece, this week.

Poole posted a video of the big moment on Instagram - and clearly Ms Noble said ‘yes’ as a picture of the sparkler that helped seal the deal was also uploaded on the social media platform.

Below the update are posts from the centre-back’s Fratton Park team-mates, including Marlon Pack, Colby Bishop, Kusini Yengi and Jack Sparkes, congratulating the happy couple on their good news. Fellow League One title winners Abu Kamara and Alex Robertson have also sent their best wishes. And if the Blues’ promotion celebrations are anything to go by, then there’s little doubt this is another reason to get the Champagne corks popping!

No date for the big day has been revealed - but just like Poole’s return from injury, there’ll be plenty of careful, meticulous planning to ensure it all goes according to plan.

That devotion and desire to do things properly has the former Lincoln man closing in on a welcome Blues return in time to play a key part in Pompey’s return to the Championship. The defender might not be currently ready to take part in all elements of the Blues’ pre-season schedule. But John Mousinho and his medical team can certainly look forward to having the 2023 summer signing back with the group and building on his fitness ahead of the 2024-25 season opener on August 10.

Speaking to The News in May, the Pompey head coach said: ‘Regan should be back in a modified training programme in pre-season ready for the start of the season.

‘I don’t think he’ll be involved in that first week where we normally have non-league games against Bognor, Havant & Waterlooville and Gosport. After that, we are aiming towards the back end of pre-season.

‘However, we are being cautious of that because he’s been out for such a long time, but we’re hoping to have him back available for the first game of the season. We aren’t going to rush it.

‘Regan is doing brilliantly, it’s just that ACLs are long and slow and hard. They go up and then plateau, before going up again. It’s part of the recovery.’

Joining on a two-year deal from the Imps, Poole featured just 16 times for the Blues last season. But the Wales international had already firmly established himself as a fan favourite when he went down injured in the 11th minute of Pompey’s FA Cup trip to the Spireites.

He rightly collected his League One winner’s medal on the final Fratton Park match-day of the season against Wigan. That proved a special occasion for the player, as he picked up his first piece of silverware. But there’s clearly many more happy moments to come for the popular defender, both on and off the field of play!