Portsmouth boss reveals Ebou Adams fitness latest ahead of Derby County
Derby County lie in wait for Ebou Adams, as he prepares to face his former side in the Championship on Monday. The £500,000 signing will need to find further depths of stamina to take on the side, in a challenging physical period for the midfielder.
Ebou Adams’ indomitable resolve has been lauded as he prepares to be reunited with Derby County.
Pompey boss John Mousinho has saluted the incredible physical capacity the midfielder is showing, as his side rely heavily on the key figure as he observes Ramadan.
Mousinho on former Derby man: ‘Physical output has been brilliant’
Adams has started every game since his full debut at Watford, following his £500,000 arrival from Monday’s opponents at Fratton Park.
The Blues have leaned heavily on the 30-year-old’s high output and dominance in the middle of the park, as his side fight for their place in the Championship.
Adams is currently fasting in daylight hours as part of his Islamic beliefs, meaning he doesn’t consume food or water in daylight hours. That has now covered six Pompey games, with the Derby game remaining before the end of Ramadan for the practising Muslim.
Adams has been withdrawn late in matches across that period, but Mousinho has backed the former Cardiff City man to continue producing the incredible wells of energy he’s dipping into.
Mousinho said: ‘There’s obviously the physiological effects of the month on Ebou (across Ramadan), but I think there’s also a potential psychological boost as well.
‘If you speak to players who observe Ramadan, they do say they feel a greater sense of mental strength going into the month and doing it. So I think there is something to be drawn from that.
‘Monday is the last game and to be fair to Ebou he’s given everything, though he’s maybe blown up late in games, and his physical output has been brilliant.
‘In another circumstance and Doz (Dozzell) was fit it would maybe be another story, the same if Mark Kosznovszky was fit. Those are the two players at the start of the season we had earmarked as eights.
‘During that period as well Swifty has been available, but played as a 10 and been out injured. So we haven’t really had the opportunity to change him too much - and that’s a very similar conversation to the one with Milli (Alli).’
Adams dealing with injury niggles and hand issue ahead of Derby
The mileage Adams can offer has been evident in all of his 12 Pompey appearances to date, but so, at times, has the impact that’s had on the former non-league operator.
Mousinho confirmed he’s been playing with knocks, in addition to the hand injury picked up in the 1-0 home loss to Hull City at the end of last month.
Mousinho added: ‘He’s just dealing with bits and pieces, but nothing which really needs to be flagged. The hand was injured in the challenge in the build-up which led to the goal against Hull. He was stamped on.’