Exclusive:No fears for Portsmouth boss over unveiling new-look defensive partnership at Southampton

John Mousinho has backed ‘improving’ Madiodio Dia to rise to the occasion of a potential maiden south-coast derby and stand firm against Southampton.

The Senegal defender and Regan Poole are pencilled in to be Pompey’s centre-half partnership at St Mary’s on Sunday should Conor Shaughnessy be ruled out.

Although Shaughnessy’s groin injury isn't as bad as initially feared, he has still to return to full training and was this morning continuing his rehabilitation out on grass.

According to Mousinho, the Blues will decide on the Irishman’s availability on Saturday, having already lost fellow central defender Benjy Arthur for the remainder of 2026 to a fractured back.

And that opens the door for a possible first-team recall for Poole to line up alongside Dia against Tonda Eckert’s side.

‘All the tools to become a very, very good centre-back’

Mousinho told The News: ‘We saw Jojo in the last match against Blackburn and I actually thought he had a really good game.

‘He stepped in really well for our second goal. He played in Abs (Kamara), who played in Ryan (Kavuma-McQueen) off the back of that - and then his shot deflected off Colby for the equaliser.

‘We know exactly what we can expect from Regan, so when he came on against Blackburn I thought he was excellent as well. We do have other options in that area, not necessarily recognised centre-halves, but other players that can play in that position.

‘Jojo needs a bit of time to keep bedding in, game time for him is really important, and I think he is improving. He has all the tools to become a very, very good centre-back.

‘He shows a lot of those, although sometimes there are lapses of concentration and parts of his game which he needs to improve upon. Jojo knows that, we are working on that constantly.

‘I see a young player that has been in this country now for nine months, having played a handful of senior games prior to coming over here.’

Two starts this season

Dia’s start against Blackburn in the Blues’ most recent match represented only his third outing of the season.

Since the 22-year-old’s arrival from Sweden in February, he has totalled seven starts, with Mousinho attempting to ease the defender into first-team action.

However, considering Shaughnessy and Arthur’s injury problems - and with Hayden Matthews and Josh Knight currently out on loan - Dia finds himself in the frame for a spot at St Mary’s.

And Mousinho has been pleased with the youngster’s previous performances when called upon, particularly in some tough away fixtures.

He added: ‘Jojo stepped in and played a really big part at the back end of the season last year.

‘He played at Middlesbrough, Norwich away, Coventry away, Swansea at home. He’s had a real baptism of fire and it’s testament to Jojo that he’s come through and is learning and improving in the game.’

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