Portsmouth boss John Mousinho attempts to calm fears after latest Josh Murphy blow
The winger has managed two substitute appearances so far this season
John Mousinho surveyed Josh Murphy’s latest injury set-back and insisted: ‘It’s not disastrous’.
The talented winger was introduced in the 58th minute of Pompey’s 3-1 victory at Lincoln for goalscorer Ryan Kavuma-McQueen - however, within 19 minutes, he was forced off.
Murphy felt his problematic left groin while delivering a cross into the box and, following a period of treatment, the substitute was replaced by Marko Milovanovic in the 77th minute.
It’s the same groin which the 31-year-old had an operation on in late April, keeping him out into the second game of the season against QPR.
Now the issue has flared up again, yet Mousinho is remaining upbeat.
He told The News: ‘Murph is okay, it’s not disastrous but it’s that same thing he has been struggling with.
‘Whenever we’ve spoken in the media, I guess there’s sometimes frustration at my answers because that is the case. Sometimes he’s okay, sometimes he’s not. Sometimes he feels great, sometimes he’s struggling with his groin.
‘He’s a bit down at the moment. That’s not a problem for now, that’s one to get on top of on Sunday and Monday and see how he is. There's nothing terrible there, but he’s still really feeling little bits of that groin.
‘‘That’s the reason, sometimes I deliberately lie to you guys about who’s injured and who is not available for team selection purposes. The one with Murph, hopefully you saw today.
‘Since December, he's had a broken foot and now this. He’s had those issues here and there. Sometimes I thought he might be available for the weekend or two week’s time, then you ask me in two weeks and he hasn’t been available.’
Left winger Kavuma-McQueen had been Pompey’s star performer as they collected their first victory of the season at the third time of asking.
Abu Kamara contributed with two assists from the right wing, while Luke Brooke-Smith was introduced off the bench in the 86th minute.
It demonstrates that even in the ongoing absence of the Blues’ most influential player in Murphy, there are others who can take up the mantle.
Mousinho added: ‘I would rather not see him like that today, but that was a good example of just where we are with Murph.
‘There’s a bit of aggravation there in his groin. I don’t think it’s too bad, but it felt like you needed everybody at full tilt for the entirety of the game - and he said he just felt it.’