Portsmouth boss John Mousinho addresses surprise absence of attacking duo from squad against Charlton
The attacking duo were missing from the Pompey squad which dramatically beat Charlton 2-1
John Mousinho has explained the absence of Colby Bishop and Callum Lang from Pompey’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Charlton.
Missing from the Blues’ triumphant squad was Lang, while Bishop pulled out of the game during the warm-up, having initially been named on the bench.
In their absence, alongside with hamstring-victim Josh Murphy, Pompey still managed to strike twice as a dramatic finale earned the win which lifts them out of the Championship relegation zone.
Regardless, Mousinho addressed the reasons behind the pair’s surprise Fratton Park absence, with a New Year’s Day trip to Bristol City next up.
The Blues’ head coach told The News: ‘Colby had an injection pre-game, I won’t tell you where just in case someone from Bristol City decides to target that area!
‘He tried his best to play through it and do his best to be on the bench. It’s the reason we brought him out of the starting line-up.
‘I actually think that Colby has been a big part of the very mini run we’ve put together recently - the run is only four games - but we decided to leave him out. He just wasn’t quite right.
‘We injected him pre warm-up, but it didn’t have the desired effect. We’ve got to see how it settles down over the next couple of days.
‘But, because he has been in consideration to be on the bench today, I will be hopeful that he’s available for Bristol City.’
Pompey claimed a 98th-minute winner through Minhyoek Yang, just two minutes after Charlton thought they had earned a stoppage-time point following Harvey Knibbs’ header.
Earlier, Conor Shaughnessy marked his return from injury by heading home Adrian Segecic’s corner in the 69th minute.
Segecic had started on the right wing in place of the absent Lang, who missed the match with yet another hamstring issue.
The popular attacker was seven games into his latest comeback from an injury which has blighted his 2025, requiring an operation in August.
Although Mousinho is adamant that, on this occasion, Lang’s absence is more precautionary, having felt it in the Boxing Day draw with QPR.
He added: ‘Callum just felt his hamstring slightly on Friday, it was a bit of a precaution, but might be one of those that’s one or two weeks.
‘He was here at the game.’