John Mousinho has alleviated fears of a lengthy Marko Milovanović injury lay-off.

The Pompey boss has provided a timeframe for the striker to be out of action, after his surprise absence at Charlton Athletic today.

Milovanović was missing from the team-sheet this afternoon, with Colby Bishop leading the line in the 0-0 draw at The Valley.

Mousinho provided an update after the game, as he confirmed the landmark signing picked up a calf injury following last weekend’s success over Cardiff City.

The Pompey boss expects Milovanović to miss next weekend’s meeting with Blackburn Rovers at Fratton Park.

But the expectation is the Serbian will be back in action by the time Pompey go to Southampton on October 11, after the international break.

Mousinho said: ‘Marko just felt his calf after the game at the weekend.

‘So there’s nothing major, but he’s probably touch and go for next weekend - we’ll probably leave him out against Blackburn and get him fit for the derby in four weeks’ time.

‘There is an injury there, so we’re not just pulling him out for the sake of it.’

Milovanović’s injury leaves Pompey light on striker options for the Blackburn game, with Thomas Waddingham also missing with ankle ligament damage.

Tyrese Shade has patrolled the left flank in the past two games, since his deadline day capture from Burton Albion.

The £2.2m signing can operate as a No9 however, with Bishop the other player in that department.

Mousinho added: ‘It’s restricted us in terms of options.

‘One of the things we’ve balanced off really well over the past couple of weeks was having Colby and Marko play off each other really well, that is one played 60 and one played 30.

‘We unfortunately didn’t have the opportunity to do that today.’