Portsmouth handed much-needed injury boost ahead of huge south-coast derby against Southampton
Pompey welcome Southampton to Fratton Park for the first time in six-and-a-half years.
Marlon Pack has handed Pompey a much-needed injury boost ahead of Sunday’s south-coast derby against Southampton.
However, John Mousinho has ruled out the possibility of a surprise involvements for Callum Lang and Josh Murphy as the pair continue their recoveries.
The Blues welcome their fierce rivals this weekend for the first time in six-and-a-half years as they vie for south-coast supremacy.
Pompey, though, are in the midst of an injury crisis, with Conor Shaughnessy the latest to add to the growing list of absentees for the head coach.
Pompey handed injury boost ahead of Southampton
Mousinho is confident, however, captain and boyhood Blues fan Pack will be fit to feature against the Saints.
The midfielder has been left out of the previous three Championship squads due to a hamstring issue, but did appear off bench to face Arsenal in the FA Cup a fortnight ago.
And Mousinho is hopeful of welcoming Pack back to the side in the latest south-coast derby instalment.
The head coach told The News: ‘I think the one we should have back is Marlon, I don’t think anyone else will be back before Sunday.
‘He’s going to train today. He’s been in and out, missed the last couple of league games. Played against Arsenal but it was just that niggly hamstring injury so he’ll be excited about Sunday.’
No shock returns for Callum Lang or Josh Murphy
Mousinho has 12 members of his squad sidelined due to injury at present, with Callum Lang and Josh Murphy notable absentees.
The pair remain out of action with respective hamstring issues, although the former boosted hopes of an early return having been spotted in training on social media.
However, Mousinho has ruled out the attacking duo for Sunday’s clash, but was upbeat over any fresh concerns following Wednesday’s draw with Watford.
He added: ‘No, unfortunately not (over a possibility of shock returns for Callum Lang or Josh Murphy).
‘We’re monitoring a couple but it’s more fatigue than anything else so we’re just going to see how the lads report when they come in at 12. We’ll see how they are then.’
Conor Shaughnessy update
Shaughnessy was the latest name to appear on the growing list of absentees, having missed the 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road.
Mousinho revealed after the contest that the centre-back felt tightness in his quad following Saturday’s triumph over Sheffield Wednesday.
After providing an update over the 29-year-old’s problems on Wednesday, the head coach was unable to shed new light over his issue as they await scan results.
‘We’re still waiting on a second opinion just to see what the extent of the injury is.’