John Mousinho issues injury update on Portsmouth quartet

John Mousinho has run through the injury status of his returning defensive players as Portsmouth prepare to take on Blackburn Rovers.

Following news he described as "devastating" for Pompey as Conor Shaughnessy is ruled out until the turn of the year with a calf tear, Mousinho issued updates on further defenders in the squad.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent's Andy Moon [20 November], the head coach offered updates on Jordan Williams, Jacob Farrell and Zak Swanson ahead of the visit to Ewood Park [23 November].

"Jacob's doing well, he's back out on the grass, but he's not ready for full training yet. We should be reintegrating him within the next week or so.

"Jordan will probably be about another four weeks. He had the scan on his hamstring just prior to the Preston game [9 November]. It's a really strange one with Jordan because he never pulled up really, but it was a bit worse than we first thought.

"Zak is closest of those to returning. It was touch and go to see if he would be back for this weekend, but he's not been back in full training yet. If we can do that next week, we're looking forward to the Swansea game [30 November] for Zak."

Portsmouth slowly making it through defensive injury woes

Despite the apparent abundance of options at his disposal, Mousinho has had to use emergency cover from elsewhere for his defence due to the injury record this season.

Marlon Pack was drafted into the backline by the head coach against Preston as Tom McIntyre was taken out of the firing line, also showing a sure lack of faith in Ryley Towler, who has not played since starting the four league matches in August.

The goalkeeping department has not always been easy either, but Mousinho confirmed Will Norris is once again available for selection, missing out on recent Pompey matchday squads.

Since Norris was dropped in favour of Nicolas Schmid, he had seemingly fallen behind Jordan Archer in the pecking order as well - but it remains to be seen how the definitive order beyond Schmid will rank.

In midfield and going forward, Pompey appear in a healthy position in terms of available players, with Colby Bishop now well and truly back in the fold; Josh Murphy and Matt Ritchie also seem to have their eye in of late, a huge boost of experience for the Blues.

In other Portsmouth news, reaction from Jay Sadler as his Pompey Women side faltered at the ground the men will visit this weekend.

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