Portsmouth handed injury boost over potential Premier League performer ahead of Charlton Athletic
Pompey have been given a fresh fitness pick-me-up as they aim to arrest their poor Championship form at Charlton Athletic - with a big billing for the player returning to the group.
Harvey Blair has given Pompey a lift as they bid to arrest their poor form at Charlton Athletic.
And John Mousinho has challenged the former Liverpool man to stay fit, as he highlighted his Premier League potential.
Pompey winger in contention for Charlton
Blair has been declared available for selection ahead of the trip to The Valley, following nine weeks out with a troublesome hamstring injury.
Blues boss Mousinho expects the former Liverpool man to ‘challenge for a place in the squad’, in what is shaping up to be a significant clash for both out of form sides this weekend.
Blair has faced ongoing fitness issues since signing from Liverpool for £300,000, ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
That saw the 22-year-old restricted to three starts and nine appearances, with there some signs of promise with director performances towards the end of the campaign.
Blair was then hit with a hamstring issue on the final day against Hull City, which meant a summer of rehabilitation which proved far from straightforward. The winger then came back with sub appearances with Watford and Middlesbrough which showed signs of promise.
Speaking to The News today, Mousinho said: ‘Harvey Blair should be back and will most likely challenge for a place in the squad.
‘We now need Harvey to stay fit, first and foremost he needs to stay fit.
Mousinho on former Liverpool man: ‘Talent to play at level above’
‘We’ve seen what he can do this season, two of his more positive performances came against Middlesbrough and Watford when he came on. He had half an hour in both of those.
‘He came on against Watford when he offered pace, power and an outlet down the left-hand side. It was slightly different in the Middlesbrough game, because we were seeing the game out.
‘He’s not managed to stay fit and keep fit, but when he is he’s a very good player. Harvey has the talent to play at this level and the level above, it’s about if he can put it all together.’