Portsmouth boss John Mousinho drops hint over crucial injury return for Sheffield United showdown

John Mousinho has hinted at the possibility of a return to action for Colby Bishop next week.

The striker was sidelined for Saturday’s trip to Preston North End due to an ankle issue suffered against West Brom at the end of January.

The 29-year-old rolled his ankle midway through the triumph over the Baggies, with the head coach confirming the front man was set for a brief spell out of the side.

Bishop was the only change at Deepdale for the Blues and was replaced in the starting XI by Jacob Brown, who impressed on debut following his deadline-day arrival.

Following the Magic Man’s set-back last week, Mousinho expected the forward to initially miss 2-4 weeks of action.

Striker set for injury return

The Blues have been pleased with how the number nine has reacted to his treatment and could be in-line for an imminent return.

Mousinho is ‘hopeful’ of welcoming Bishop back into the fold for next Saturday’s crucial game against Sheffield United, having feared the ex-Notts County man could miss up to four weeks.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent after Saturday’s defeat to Preston North End: ‘He turned his ankle last week so nothing too bad but we’re hopeful for Sheffield United.’

The Blues boss had deadline-day signing Brown and Makenzie Kirk in his attacking department for the trip to Preston North End, with injuries still affecting availability to key players.

With Bishop set to make a welcome return against Sheffield United, Pompey are also expected to be handed a timely boost over Thomas Waddingham.

The forgotten man has missed five months of action due to a quad issue sustained prior to the south-coast derby against Southampton in September.

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Double injury boost for Sheffield United

Mousinho revealed earlier in the week that the 20-year-old has been pencilled in to complete his long-awaited comeback on February 14.

Speaking after Bishop’s set-back last week, the head coach confirmed the Aussie is likely to return and will add much-needed depth to the Blues’ attack.

Mousinho said: ‘Colby was coming into the best form of his season, before he got injured. He’s not been scoring, but has been very, very difficult to play against.

‘So his injury was a blow, but behind that we’ve got Makenzie and Tom Waddingham - and Tom should be back for the Sheffield United game.

‘So we’re slightly more optimistic about that with Tom being back, we have three centre-forwards available in that department.

‘Milli can play up there as well, so we have a bit of flexibility and different options.’

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