Blackburn Rovers receive injury boost ahead of important relegation battle against Portsmouth at Fratton Park

A nervy afternoon lies in wait at Fratton Park on Saturday as Pompey host fellow Championship strugglers Blackburn Rovers.

As it stands ahead of the game, the Blues are sitting two points from safety after falling to defeats in four of their last five league games and that has increased concerns over a potential return to League One.

However, John Mousinho’s men could lift themselves out of the drop zone if they can secure a win over a Rovers side sitting just five points above the bottom three and Oxford United are beaten in their home game with Preston North End.

Rovers have endured an underwhelming run of their own after winning just one of their past six games. Valerien Ismael’s cause has not been helped by a plethora of injuries that have decimated his squad in recent weeks - although the Rovers boss has revealed he is set to receive a major boost ahead of the game as midfielder Sonny Tronstad is set to return after missing the past five league matches with an ankle injury.

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Blackburn injury boost ahead of Pompey visit

Ismael told RoversTV: ‘At the minute, we don’t have any problems from the last game and that’s good. We will see if we can get Sonny back for the game, but the signs are positive at the moment.

‘He’s been training, but we still have important days before the game. We need technical leaders on the pitch and Sonny is one of them. I think Sonny would offer to drive himself to Portsmouth! We’re happy to have him.’

It’s not all good news for Ismael, though, as former Pompey loanee Hayden Carter, Scott Wharton, Augustus Kargbo, Kristi Montgomery. Balazs Toth and Ryan Hedges all remain unavailable for selection as they continue their comeback from injury.

However, the Rovers boss did reveal two of those absentees should be available for next weekend’s home clash with Millwall - another boost as the Ewood Park side, like the Blues, continue to fight for their Championship survival.

Ismael added: ‘Hedgey is doing well but it will be too short, and we don’t want to take any risks. He is more likely Millwall. (Toth) as well, it might be too tight for that game but maybe Millwall would be better.”

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