Former West Brom man hands Portsmouth timely injury boost ahead of crucial Swansea City contest
Pompey welcome mid-table Swansea City to Fratton Park on Tuesday evening.
John Swift is set to hand Pompey a much-needed injury boost against Swansea City on Tuesday evening.
But the Swans’ midweek visit to Fratton Park will come too soon for Makenzie Kirk, who remains absent with an achilles issue.
John Mousinho’s side have been constantly hampered with injuries and availability throughout the season, with a number of key personnel sidelined at various points of the campaign.
Swift joined the Blues’ cohort of absentees when he went off after feeling his hamstring against Wrexham a fortnight ago.
John Swift to hand Pompey timely injury boost ahead of Swansea
His blow came after a run of impressive showings against Sheffield United, Charlton Athletic and Millwall, which also saw him net his second goal of the campaign in the 3-1 win at The Den.
Swift had been deployed in his more-natural number 10 role and appeared to flourish in behind Colby Bishop in Pompey’s forward line.
The former West Brom man was subsequently sidelined for the defeat to Hull City as well as Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers, which left the Blues five points clear of the relegation zone.
Although Regan Poole will face a late fitness test ahead of Tuesday’s Fratton showdown against Swansea, Swift has been given the green light to make a timely return to the fold in midweek.
Mousinho provided a brief update over the midfielder in his pre-match press conference and said: ‘He’s available. John will be available.’
Makenzie Kirk fitness update ahead of Swansea City
Meanwhile, Kirk, who was last week pencilled in to complete his comeback from a minor achilles problem by the Blues boss, is not expected to feature.
The striker has been sidelined for Pompey’s previous four matches after picking up the set-back in training at the end of February.
The Northern Ireland youth international has subsequently missed the triumph over Millwall, the defeats to Wrexham and Hull City, along with Saturday’s stalemate against Blackburn.
This has left Mousinho with just three fit forwards to choose from on his bench in recent weeks as availability issues continue to hamper his attacking options.
Although Swift is expected to complete his comeback in midweek, the game will come too soon for Kirk, who has instead been pencilled in to return against Derby County next Monday.
The Blues boss told The News: ‘Makenzie has been in and around training but is not available for selection probably until the weekend (against Derby County next Monday).’