The England Under-20 international has made six appearances for the Blues since joining in August
Pompey fans haven’t seen the last of Benjy Arthur this season.
That’s the message from Rich Hughes, with the Blues having every intention of keeping the talented defender for the full duration of his 2026-27 loan.
Benjy Arthur made his first Football League start in Pompey's 3-1 win at Lincoln in August. Picture: Jason Brownplaceholder image
Benjy Arthur made his first Football League start in Pompey's 3-1 win at Lincoln in August. Picture: Jason Brown | Jason Brown
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The 20-year-old has returned to parent club Brentford for treatment on the back fracture which is expected to sideline him for four months.
There remains the slight possibility that Arthur could return to action just before the New Year, although at this stage of his recovery it is difficult to accurately pinpoint.
Nonetheless, Pompey’s sporting director is adamant they will not be cutting short the agreed season-long loan, with Arthur to remain their player.
And the Blues are looking forward to welcoming the impressive centre-half back into John Mousinho’s first-team.
‘We are absolutely looking forward to getting him back’
Hughes told The News: ‘Benjy staying for the duration of his loan is our intention, absolutely.
‘Obviously there is not a linear pathway over a stress fracture, you’ve got to let it heal and take care of itself. But, if it goes to plan, we are absolutely looking forward to getting him back and getting him back in the side here as well.
Conor Shaughnessy came off injured in Pompey's 2-2 draw with Blackburn. Picture: Jason Brownplaceholder image
Conor Shaughnessy came off injured in Pompey's 2-2 draw with Blackburn. Picture: Jason Brown | Jason Brown
‘He’s back with Brentford at the minute and it’s a tough one to take for Benjy - and for us - with it being a stress fracture. We’re still awaiting a bit more comms from Brentford, who have been great in terms of their treatment with him.
‘It would normally be the case that when a loan player sustains a significant injury, they will go back for the initial stages of their rehab with them.
‘Benjy was really adapting to us in the Championship, but the nature of the stress fracture means he will have to be deloaded for a period of time and then we’ll build him back up.
‘He is very much off feet at the moment, he won’t be doing a lot of training, he’s still doing a lot of gym and conditioning work, but he’ll be off his feet and not putting that pressure through the back at the minute.
‘Then, hopefully, we will get him back down with us in a good few weeks and then we can start to build him up to get ready to go again.’
Five successive Championship starts
After his debut off the bench against QPR in August, Arthur went on to make five successive Championship starts until his set-back.
He has primarily partnered Conor Shaughnessy at the heart of Mousinho’s defence, only for both to be struck down by injury within the same week.
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That has left Madiodio Dia and Regan Poole as the Blues’ likely centre-half pairing heading to Southampton when the domestic season resumes on Sunday, October 11.
Hughes has clarified the Blues won’t be exploring the free agent market to bolster their defensive options, while Shaughnessy’s injury isn’t as bad as initially feared.
And he’s also hopeful Arthur can return to Pompey action before the end of 2026.
‘There is a scenario where he can return before the New Year’
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He added: ‘There is a scenario where he can return before the New Year - and if that’s the case we will work with Brentford to get him back in the safest, quickest way possible.
‘It will depend on how the next few weeks go and, if that rehab goes well, that will mirror the time. You split it as a six-week deloader and six weeks to build him back up, but the injury was pre-Blackburn, so we are a couple of weeks into that period.
‘Benjy had adapted really well and was starting to shine, so we’re very much looking forward to getting him back into the group and getting him back in a Pompey shirt.’
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