Portsmouth injuries: Sidelined star ‘hasn’t given up’ on Pompey return
John Mousinho has several injury concerns ahead of Portsmouth’s final four games of the Championship season.
With Portsmouth four points from the Championship relegation zone and only four games of the season remaining, it will be vital for Mousinho to have as many key players available as possible to get over the survival finishing line.
Four losses from their last six Championship games has left Portsmouth nervously glancing over their shoulder, as fellow relegation candidates Derby County and Plymouth Argyle are in impressive form over recent matches.
Fans will be overjoyed to hear that one injured player wants to make an appearance before the season closes, in what will be a huge aid to Portsmouth and Mousinho.
Portsmouth ace attempting comeback
According to BBC Radio Solent Portsmouth commentator Andrew Moon, midfielder Callum Lang will be trying to bolster Portsmouth in their upcoming fixtures but Conor Shaughessy is also aiming to feature in a big boost to the defensive line.
“Injuries have been a problem but Rob Atkinson returned last weekend, Conor Shaughnessy is close to a return and top scorer Callum Lang hasn’t given up on playing again this season. It’s hard to imagine Portsmouth would be in any danger if those three had stayed fit,” Moon writes.
Lang was crucial on the South Coast up until his injury in February, notching 10 goals in 30 matches before picking up a hamstring injury in Portsmouth’s 2-0 victory over Oxford United.
Rob Atkinson and Shaughnessy returning will also be majorly important for Pompey over the next month.
Atkinson has already returned, in what was a scintillating display in Portsmouth’s draw with Derby County, while Shaughnessy’s comeback seems imminent, which will strengthen Portsmouth’s back line by some margin.
Relegation fears still looming for Portsmouth
There is still a sense of worry around Fratton Park at the moment, as Portsmouth battle at the basement of the Championship with five other clubs.
Moon does not believe Pompey players nor fans should be overly stressed, however, as “the Blues should have enough to see the job through”.
“Back in November when Pompey were rooted to the bottom of the table, they would have bitten your arm off to be in this position,” Moon expands.
“The sole objective all season has been staying up – 21st or higher marks a good first season back in the second tier for 12 years.”
The decent form of teams around them still could have fans worried, as Derby won three in a row recently, while Luton have only lost a single game from their last five.
Meanwhile, Plymouth’s impressive 2-1 victory over Sheffield United shocked the league, and the fact that Pompey have the worst form out of the bottom six could imply that the end-of-season run-in might be a bit more hectic than expected.
Portsmouth will travel to Carrow Road to face Norwich on April 18, before a home game against Watford and a trip up north against Sheffield Wednesday finishes off April for Pompey.