Southampton striker Cyle Larin has emerged as a doubt for Pompey’s trip to St Mary’s next Sunday

While Pompey fans will be rubbing their hands with glee, their Southampton counterparts will be hoping news that emerged from North America regarding top-scorer Cyle Larin on Friday night will amount to nothing.

The Canadian striker has been in red-hot form for the St Mary’s outfit this season and currently tops the Championship’s scoring charts with seven goals from eight appearances.

The 31-year-old, who cost that lot up the road £3m from Mallorca in the summer following a successful loan stint last term, also netted in Southampton’s Carabao Cup win against Colchester United on the opening day of the season which takes his goal tally to eight.

Nearly a third of Pompey’s rivals’ goals to date this term have come via the former Besiktas and Feyenoord frontman, underlining his importance to Tonda Eckert’s side.

However, a nervousness has surfaced about Larin’s availability heading into next weekend’s south-coast derby against the Blues.

That’s after Canada national team boss Jesse Marsch revealed the striker might not play in his country’s fixture against Peru later today.

According to the former Leeds manager, Larin suffered a minor back injury in the weights room during a training session which could prevent the forward from playing.

‘He, of all things, hurt his back in the weight room going to pick up a weight,’ Marsch told Canadian reporters.

‘It’s not okay to call him Old Man Larin. I know that’s what you were thinking.

‘Everybody else is ready to go.’

The Larin news comes just a day after Southampton’s first-choice keeper, Daniel Peretz, had to withdraw from the Israel squad with a groin issue.

It was reported the 26-year-old was making his way back to St Mary’s to receive treatment.

According to Israeli media, the former Bayern Munich stopper, who has been an ever present between the sticks for Southampton this season, will be out for 10 days.

No2 George Long is on standby to feature against Pompey if Peretz cannot prove his fitness.

Ahead of next Sunday’s south-coast derby, John Mousinho’s Blues will take on Chelsea behind closed doors as they ramp up their preparations for the fixture.

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