Portsmouth injury update ‘bittersweet’ ahead of Oxford United clash
Portsmouth have reason to be both optimistic and pessimistic on the injury front ahead of the trip to Oxford United.
Pompey make the trip to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday (15 February) as John Mousinho heads to his former side, accompanied by several of his players who he recruited from the contact book built during his Oxford days.
The Blues gathered three excellent points in a hard-fought win over Cardiff City on Tuesday (11 February), but have fitness concerns emerging from the contest.
Portsmouth may have new players available v Oxford
Mousinho has revealed the latest regarding Conor Shaughnessy, who scored what turned out to be the decisive goal against Cardiff but was later taken off with a hamstring precaution.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent’s Andy Moon (12 February), the head coach spoke on Shaughnessy – who has already missed five months of this season – along with the soon-to-return Kusini Yengi and Regan Poole.
Freddie Potts missed the Cardiff win with a minor calf problem and is “50/50” for Saturday’s game – if he is not given the benefit of the doubt, the midfielder should be in line to return against QPR the following week.
“We’ll send Conor for a scan, so we don’t know the extent of the injury. It didn’t look great after the game, but we’re hoping for minimal damage.
“Regan had a full training session [Wednesday], so we’ll see how he is for the weekend. Kas [Yengi] is the same – those two are identical in terms of their rehab.”
Portsmouth have had rotten injury luck
Shaughnessy has been a microcosm of Portsmouth’s horrendous fortune with injuries since returning to the Championship.
The same can be said for Jordan Williams, struck down with his own problem after a string of excellent performances, and Ibane Bowat and Jacob Farrell – both signed in the summer – have made just one appearance between them.
Yengi and Poole returning can be a massive boost and take pressure off Mousinho’s attacking and defensive options.
After Oxford and QPR, Pompey begin March against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.