Portsmouth favourite Josh Murphy's cryptic injury message ahead of QPR after Derby County scare
Josh Murphy registered his sixth assist of the season in Pompey’s 1-1 draw against Derby County on Saturday afternoon.
Josh Murphy has penned a 16-word message on social media following his injury scare against Derby County.
The winger bagged his sixth assist of the campaign at Pride Park, setting up Callum Lang who netted Pompey’s opener after six minutes in their 1-1 draw.
It represented the first time this season the winger started alongside all three of Lang, Conor Chaplin and Colby Bishop in the Blues’ attack.
Murphy was once again his usual threat on the left-hand side, causing Sondre Langas and Joe Ward problems throughout the first half.
It sparked concern over a potential injury to The News’ 2024-25 Player of the Season, who went straight down and was replaced by Harvey Blair.
Although the head coach was unsure over the extent of the ex-Cardiff City man’s issue, the winger’s injury might not be too bad based on his Christmas message to the Fratton faithful on social media.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘Another Point in the Right Direction! Enjoy Christmas Pompey fans. See you at Fratton Boxing Day.’
John Mousinho on Josh Murphy’s injury scare
Pompey welcome QPR to Fratton Park on Boxing Day before Charlton Athletic make the trip to the south coast three days later to round off 2025.
The festive football continues for the Blues on New Years’ Day who travel to Ashton Gate to face Bristol City before returning to PO4 on January 4 to take on Ipswich Town.
With a run of four games in nine days, Mousinho admitted after the draw at Pride Park that his side were taking no precautions over their star forward following his injury scare.
The head coach told BBC Radio Solent on Saturday: ‘(He was) just feeling his hamstring slightly.
‘He (Murphy) wasn't quite himself today and it was one of those that we've taken him off as a precaution.
‘I don't know how it's going to be but we need to work hard to try and get Murp as fit as possible.
‘Probably, as a precaution, we'll have it scanned on Monday and see where we go from there.’
Josh Murphy’s Championship season so far
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After an outstanding maiden campaign at Fratton Park last term, Murphy has enjoyed similar success in front of goal.
Saturday’s assist for Lang represented his sixth of the campaign so far, despite missing six games with an ankle issue.
The winger was absent for more than a month before returning to action against Stoke City at the end of October.
Since then, Murphy has been an ever-present in Mousinho’s forward line, which has seen him appear 14 times to date.