Portsmouth boss's positive message to Fratton faithful as popular forward Adrian Segečić set for return v Millwall
The popular Adrian Segečić could make his comeback from injury against Millwall at Fratton Park today
John Mousinho is ready to unleash Adrian Segečić back on the Championship.
The Pompey boss has admitted no soft reintroduction if the 21-year-old is needed after he spent a month on the sidelines with an ankle injury picked up against Coventry on October 21.
Instead, the Aussie forward can be thrown back into action immediately - starting with today’s important home game against Millwall at Fratton Park.
Whether Mousinho decides to do that as his Blues side sit two places and four points above the relegation zone remains to be seen. A similar decision has to be made with the returning Nicolas Schmid and Callum Lang.
But while Lang, in particular, might require more careful consideration regarding his comeback after surgey on his hamstring, Segečić is good to go now!
John Mousinho ready to throw Adrian Segečić back into the deep end
Sharing his thoughts on Segečić’s recent spell out and his availability for the game against Alex Neil’s promotion-chasing Lions, Mousinho told The News: ‘Segs is fully fit and ready to go.
‘It feels like Segs has been out a while, but it’s been four games.
‘It seems a long time ago but he only missed the Wrexham game, Stoke game, Birmingham and Hull. It just feels like it (has been longer).
‘So it’s a big boost to have him back - and we’re not thinking like we have to wait a long time to reintroduce him.’
Segečić has been an instant hint with Pompey fans
Segečić has already established himself as fans’ favourite at Fratton Park - just five months after making the switch to PO4 from Sydney FC.
The attacker’s winner on his full debut against Oxford United on the opening day of the season made him an instant hit with supporters. The fact that he remains Pompey’s top scorer with three league goals also carries much favour with supporters, who have seen their side struggle in front of goal this term.
Meanwhile, the energy, passion and quality he displays on a match day remains something that the Fratton faithful appreciate.
Those qualities will be needed against Millwall, with the Blues searching for their first win since victory against Middlesbrough on October 4 and just their second victory at Fratton Park this season.
The question remains, though, where does Segečić, who will be keen to be in Socceroos boss Tony Popovic plans for next summer’s World Cup Finals, play?
The Australia under-23 international has had most of his Pompey success while operating in the No10 role. Yet prior to his injury against Coventry, after he came on as a 64th-minute substitute, an unfamiliar role on the right-wing was often asked of him.
As a result, it will be interesting to see where Mousinho choses to deploy the 21-year-old, who has John Swift and Conor Chaplin also vying to be Pompey’s No10.