Pompey travel to the MKM Stadium to face Hull City in the Championship today.
John Mousinho's side sit rock bottom of the division after losing 2-1 to Sheffield Wednesday last Friday. There was a hope that a win against relegation rivals QPR would be the catalyst to get their season up and running, but two defeats in four days to Cardiff City and the Owls have left the Blues desperate for points.
The run of bad form hasn’t been helped with the series of injuries Pompey have suffered in games. Against the Bluebirds, Nicolas Schmid had to make way after suffering a concussion injury, while Jordan Williams (hip) and Paddy Lane (Achilles) also came away from South Wales with problems.
Pompey have Hull today, Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday, and then Preston North End next Saturday - before the international break comes. The injury picture isn’t expected to improve too much over that period.
Hull recently saw Liam Millar ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury, while talented goalkeeper Carl Rushworth is also unavailable for selection because of an ankle problem. Mousinho and Tim Walter, therefore, both have their work cut out when it comes to choosing their teams.
It's been more than 12 years since these two sides met in the Championship, with Pompey winning courtesy of goals from Chris Maguire and Joel Ward. Pompey have a decent record against Hull, too. Indeed, they have lost only once on their past 10 visits to Humberside, with their most recent clash being a 2-0 win in December 2020.
Here’s the latest injury news from both camps.
17. Liam Millar - out (continued)
“He has an ACL, he is out for the whole season," Tim Walter said to BBC Radio Humberside. “For him it’s so frustrating, and I am so with him. I was so shocked, and so was he. “It’s not about the club, and not about us, it’s about him and I’m so sad. “It’s not easy in this moment but we will give him all the help we can give him. "We’ll support him with all of our energy, but that’s the situation. “He was crying but it’s a situation you have to understand if you want to play football and get injured. It’s maybe the most difficult injury you can have." | Getty Images
18. Marvin Mehlem - out
Sidelined with a calf injury picked up on the training ground that will keep him out until after the international break. | Getty Images
19. Thimothée Lo-Tutala - out
Signed a long-term contract with the club in September. Not featured in a match day squad this season. Suffered an injury in pre-season. | Getty Images
20. Andy Smith - out
Suffered an injury towards the end of August. He is close to making a return however. Photo: Matt McNulty