Josh Murphy was sidelined for six games earlier this season because of an ankle injury

John Mousinho has revealed Josh Murphy was substituted in the second half of Pompey’s 1-1 draw at Derby County as a precaution.

The Blues winger was replaced by Harvey Blair in the 53rd minute of the Pride Park contest with a hamstring concern.

That will likely see the former Cardiff and Norwich forward undergo a scan on Monday, with the Pompey head coach keen to ensure nothing underlying is at play.

There’s nothing at this moment to suggest that is the case.

Nevertheless, Mousinho is determined to play it safe with the winger, whose assist for Callum Lang’s opener against the Rams was his sixth in the Championship this season, and his fifth since returning to the team in October after an ankle injury.

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Murphy withdrawn due to hamstring concern

When asked about Murphy’s substitution by BBC Solent following the final whistle at Pride Park, Mousinho said: (He was) just feeling his hamstring slightly.

‘He (Murphy) wasn't quite himself today and it was one of those that we've taken him off as a precaution.

‘I don't know how it's going to be but we need to work hard to try and get Murp as fit as possible.

‘Probably, as a precaution, we'll have it scanned on Monday and see where we go from there.’

Mousinho update on Swanson and Bowat

Mousinho also addressed the absences of defensive duo Zak Swanson and Ibane Bowat in his post-match press briefings.

Neither player were included in the Blues’ match-day squad for the trip to Pride Park, despite starting the Blues’ past two games.

The head coach said: ‘Zak was ill this morning so that was a late change. Willow (Williams) came in and I think considering the circumstances did very well.

‘Ibane turned his ankle on Wednesday, had a late fitness test yesterday so it's not too bad - but maybe similar to Regan Poole’s one.

‘(It’s) a really frustrating one, obviously, with Ibane in decent enough form .’

Pompey’s next match is at home to QPR on Boxing Day.

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