John Mousinho admits frustration as injury update shared on Portsmouth ace Conor Shaughnessy
John Mousinho has admitted he is unsure on the state of Conor Shaughnessy’s injury after he was pulled from the Portsmouth starting XI on Saturday.
Shaughnessy was set to start his first game in six weeks as Sheffield United came to Fratton Park in a goalless draw, but was withdrawn following the pre-match warm-up and Tom McIntyre was drafted into his place.
The Irishman first missed the draw with Middlesbrough last month through illness and has since had an ongoing calf issue which has plagued him every time there was an intention to resume playing.
Mousinho told The News after the stalemate with the Blades [28 September]: “Conor trained on Wednesday and he trained on Friday. The green light was given and we thought he was fine.
“We’re all frustrated by that, but I don’t actually know what the prognosis is because when something happens that close to kick off – it was 15 minutes before kick off – we just wanted to make sure we got Ryley [Towler] in the squad and got Tom Mac [McIntyre] up to speed.”
Portsmouth frustration for Conor Shaughnessy goes on
Shaughnessy was destined to be a key player as he made the step up to the Championship with Portsmouth, having not only scooped the club’s Player of the Year award last term but also notched the historic goal which confirmed promotion at Fratton Park.
After missing just one league match in 2023-24, Shaughnessy has so far only featured in two Championship matches out of seven, having battled with a persistent injury which always appears to fade and resurface.
While it provides a good opportunity for the recently returned McIntyre, Regan Poole and Towler, Shaughnessy is one of Pompey’s most integral players of recent months and is a staple in Mousinho’s first-choice XI.
This was set to be the campaign the 28-year-old would finally make his senior bow with the Republic of Ireland, still wholly possible if he can put this injury struggle behind him with two international breaks coming up.
To the Blues’ credit, late replacement McIntyre inspired a clean sheet against a tough Sheffield United outfit, ahead of the midweek trip to Stoke City.
In other Portsmouth news, Dr Rajpal Brar with the latest on Callum Lang.
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