‘I don’t think there’s many’: Portsmouth boss makes clear injury admission despite Norwich City crisis
Pompey face in-form Norwich City at Carrow Road on Good Friday.
John Mousinho is adamant there aren’t many clubs nursing as many injuries as Pompey in the Championship.
And the head coach has explained why he’s been impressed by Norwich City’s upturn in form despite their ongoing injury crisis.
The survival fight recommences this weekend, with the Blues making the trip to Carrow Road bidding to increase their advantage over the relegation zone.
Mousinho could be without as many as nine members of his squad for the Good Friday clash - including influential midfielder Ebou Adams, who is the latest addition in the treatment room.
Injuries have continuously hampered Pompey this term, with a number of key members of the head coach’s squad sidelined at various parts of the campaign, including the likes of Josh Murphy, Andre Dozzell, Conor Shaughnessy and more.
Norwich City, meanwhile, were missing 14 players for their 1-0 triumph over Charlton Athletic before the international break, with only a handful expected to return to face the Blues on Friday.
Despite the eye-watering number of absentees, the Canaries have been rejuvenated under new boss Phillipe Clement and go into Friday's showdown as one of the most in-form teams in the division.
Pompey boss’ injury admission despite Norwich City crisis
And although Mousinho has made it clear not many sides have nursed as many injuries as his this term, the head coach has been impressed by Norwich’s impressive strength in recent weeks despite their crisis.
The Blues boss said: ‘I don’t think there’s many nursing as many injuries as us - not that I’m going to cry that one in. They’ve got an extremely strong squad.
‘That’s no surprise to me because not only the calibre of manager but also the fact they do have one of the best squads in the Championship.
‘Some of the players and the strength and depth they’ve got, it’s really showing.
‘They strengthened again in January and picked up some magnificent players. They’ve been very, very strong.
‘When you look at the likes of Paris Maghoma coming in, (Mohamed) Toure, just to name two that came in January and are very strong additions.
‘They’ve picked up a lot recently. Their home form has been very good so as always it’s going to be a tough test going to Carrow Road, especially when they’re in such good form.’
Norwich City ‘most important game’ for Pompey
Friday’s trip to Carrow Road kick-starts Pompey’s all-important run-in, with eight games remaining to secure their Championship status.
And Mousinho has admitted his side have to take it game by game, with Friday’s showdown against Norwich ‘the most important’.
‘Every single game is massive for us and it starts on Friday,’ the head coach added.
‘We’re not getting too carried away with ourselves in terms of what we’re looking at for Monday. We’re just full focused on Friday, that’s the most important game for us at the moment.’