The 28-year-old returned to his boyhood club on deadline day, agreeing a deal that would keep him on the South Coast for the 2025/26 campaign. However, the Blues ensured that they kept on option to recall him in January.

Chaplin has featured in 23 of Pompey’s 24 Championship games this season, only missing their clash at Portman Road as he was ineligible. However, he’s yet to score for them and has just one assist to his name.

Mousinho initially claimed that positive talks had taken place on the day of the postponed clash between Portsmouth and Ipswich earlier this month, but Town boss Kieran McKenna revealed that no decision had been made, with the option to recall him due to expire this week.

Asked about his thoughts on the situation, Mousinho replied: “It’s the same. We didn’t have anything official, but spoke to Ipswich on the day of the (postponed) game.

“It was an informal conversation on the day of the game at Fratton Park, but the mood around the place is still the same on that one.”

Chaplin is yet to score since returning to his boyhood club on loan (Image: PA)

Chaplin has had limited minutes in the no.10 role, often being forced out wide at Portsmouth. However, with more opportunities to start centrally, Mousinho believes that the best is yet to come from him.

“We’ve now had enough games with Chappers in his preferred position for him to really get going and fit in the team well,” he added.

“He’s definitely affecting games, we just haven’t had the output in terms of goals and assists that Conor would like, let alone what we would expect. He’s definitely had a massive effect on us, though.

‘Prior to that Bristol City game we had a good run of results and a good run of games, albeit that small run of games and four games undefeated with two wins. Taking eight points from four games at that time of season for us was important, because teams at bottom started picking up results and teams in the middle didn’t.

“We needed that and the fact we’re two games short of a lot of sides, so the contribution everyone is making in terms of morale, but particularly Conor, is great.

“I think the season is ahead of Conor, that’s very much what we’re focussing on.”