Portsmouth manager John Mousinho believes Northern Ireland star Terry Devlin “can play pretty much anywhere” with his international versatility providing further club options.

Devlin came through the Irish League at Dungannon Swifts and Glentoran as an exciting midfield prospect, making 60 Premiership appearances across spells at both clubs.

However, since joining Pompey in 2023, Devlin has largely been deployed at right-back – a move which has paid off with the Cookstown native sweeping the club’s ‘Player of the Year’ awards last season.

Devlin started in another new role – left wing-back – during Northern Ireland’s 3-0 Nations League win over Ukraine last month and received high praise from national team boss Michael O’Neill.

placeholder image — Northern Ireland's Terry Devlin. (Photo by Andrew Matthews/Press Association)

The 23-year-old has been included in Northern Ireland's squad once again for an upcoming double-header as O’Neill’s side look to convert their current one-point League B advantage into top-tier promotion.

Northern Ireland will host Ukraine at Windsor Park on Saturday night before taking on Hungary in Budapest on Tuesday evening.

With Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley a long-term absentee for Northern Ireland and left-back an area which has needed filled by the likes of Justin Devenny in recent times, Devlin’s versatility is a welcome option for O’Neill.

Devlin has also chipped in with crucial goals for Portsmouth this season, scoring twice in this month’s 3-1 Championship win against Swansea City, bringing his league tally to four in 14 matches.

While left-back wasn’t an option which Mousinho had previously considered Devlin for, the Pompey chief believes he has the ability to play in any position across the pitch.

"The interesting thing is Terry played left wing-back for Northern Ireland," said Mousinho on The Portsmouth News, the News Letter’s sister title. “That wasn’t a position we necessarily thought he’d thrive in, but we looked at bringing him on there against Southampton.

“We were protecting Jayden (Meghoma) and Jayden was one we took off, because he’d been booked in that game. He was also being booed relentlessly and we thought that was another potential flashpoint over him.

"So Terry was one we considered putting there, but we decided to put Swanny over there because he’s a bit more familiar with it.

“I think he can play there, though. I genuinely think he can play pretty much anywhere.

“You get a different profile if you play him where he plays out wide.

“If you play him wide, he’s played wide left and wide right, it’s a different profile to an out-and-out winger but he does a very good job and he’s settled well as a full-back.”