Harvey Blair has registered eight appearances in all competitions for Pompey this season but has been left out of the Blues’ 25-man EFL squad - for now.

Harvey Blair has dropped a promising injury hint after being left out of Pompey’s 25-man EFL squad.

The winger was surprisingly omitted from the Blues’ 25-man list which was sent to the EFL, despite being initially touted with a comeback against Sheffield United this weekend.

The 22-year-old was also left out alongside the injured Florian Bianchini (knee), Josh Knight (back) and Mark Kosznovszky (knee) as well as goalkeeper Jordan Archer.

Blair is currently sidelined with a hip-flexor issue, which was sustained in the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup.

It represented the forward’s latest set-back, having missed a significant part of the first half of the campaign due to respective hamstring issues.

This has limited the 2024 arrival to just eight appearances in all competitions this term - including two Championship starts.

Although Blair was expected to return to first-team duties this Saturday, his absence from the 25-man squad prompted some concern amongst supporters that his injury was worse than first feared.

Mousinho was quick to ease any concern, though, and has since pencilled in the Blues’ trip to Millwall on February 21 as his new comeback date.

And Blair took to social media on Wednesday evening to drop a subtle hint over his fitness as he readies himself for a return.

The winger simply used the ‘Soon’ emoji coupled alongside a sand timer in a photo of himself in action against Arsenal, suggesting any injury fears can be put to bed.

Indeed, his post drew some positive comments from supporters, who are hoping to see the 22-year-old back in action soon.

@OpenMinded69s said: You got this brother. We believe in you. Just heal up and come smash it. Meanwhile, @Aaron25650310 replied with: Take your time don’t rush back! Need you 100% fit. And @PompeyPatter commented: Best of luck with the recovery Harvey. Will be great to have you back on the pitch soon.

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What John Mousinho has said over Harvey Blair omission

placeholder image — Harvey Blair. | Graham Hunt

Speaking after Pompey’s 25-man EFL squad was released, Mousinho explained the reasons behind Blair’s omission but insisted he will be added as soon as he’s ‘back full fit and available.’

The head coach told The News: ‘I will register Harvey the second he’s back fully fit and available for selection.

‘The track record there tells me that Harvey has had a series of breakdowns previously in his rehab, so there’s absolutely no point until then.

‘We could register Harvey today, we can register Harvey on Friday if needed to. He’s not going to be ready for Sheffield United, but we will take a view that, if he’s going to be ready for Millwall, then we’ll register him before then should we feel it’s the right thing to do.

‘I don’t know how his fitness will be, history tells us he needs to change something and that’s the big challenge for Harvey.

‘He should be available for the Millwall game, he’s back training with us, but in a modified manner, he hasn’t done the full training sessions over the past couple of days. With his record, we have to be very cautious and very careful to make sure he doesn't break down again.

‘If you look at the run we’ve put together over the last 10 league games, he’s had a big impact in that. He started against QPR and Charlton, came on against Derby, was set to start in that Ipswich game, then had a big part in the goal against Arsenal.

‘It’s one of the reasons we have stuck with Harvey. Ultimately, we need him to become more robust and able to perform at this level more consistently. We’d like to have him back because we think he’s a good player.’

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