How Storm Austen ruled Portsmouth star out of their win vs Millwall

Storm Austen didn't stop Portsmouth from running out 2-1 winners over Millwall on Saturday.

It was a miserable afternoon weather-wise at Fratton Park, but that was to the extent where the misery ended for Portsmouth.

Millwall threatened to not make that so after just six minutes, when Jenson Metcalfe gave the Lions an early lead.

However, an own goal from Lyndon Dykes five minutes later brought Pompey level, and that's how it would stay until the dying minutes.

Thomas Waddingham, back from injury for his first minutes since early August, scored the winning goal with 82 minutes on the clock.

It's now four league games unbeaten for John Mousinho's men, with three wins from that time period.

Which Portsmouth player's Millwall inclusion was curtailed by Storm Austen?

What's made Portsmouth's current run of form even more impressive is the injury situation Mousinho is dealing with amid it all.

He's largely unable to alter his starting centre-backs due to a collection of injuries there, whilst there are injuries in central midfield and out wide.

Pompey have only just welcomed Waddingham and Marko Milovanovic back too, and were seemingly planning on doing so with Josh Murphy on Saturday too.

Speaking in a post-match interview via The News, Mousinho revealed that Storm Austen was largely to blame for the 31-year-old not being involved.

"Shaughs (Connor Shaughnessy) and Murph (Josh Murphy) are hopefully back for next week," the Blues boss said.

"It was touch and go for them today. Murph trained on Wednesday, but it was too much of a risk.

"We didn’t manage to train on the grass yesterday because of the storm and training on astro wasn’t an option for Murph."

So, why has Murphy's delayed return set him up for a daunting test on the cards next weekend?

Who could Murphy's opposition number be for Portsmouth return?

Portsmouth's next game is a fascinating trip to Turf Moor for a Halloween clash with Burnley next Saturday.

The Clarets have this weekend parted company with head coach Nicky Hayen following their 4-1 loss to Lincoln City.

Burnley are in a shambles at the moment, but in right-back Kyle Walker, they have an elite defender at Championship level.

Per FotMob, the 36-year-old 96-cap England international leads all second-tier right-backs for his 133 line-breaking passes and nine blocked shots this season.

Walker has also won 62.3 per cent of his duels, created 10 chances, played 37 accurate long balls and made 66 defensive contributions in 10 appearances.

He may be in the twilight of his career, but he's still a formidable opponent for any left winger to go up against at this level.

So, if Murphy comes back into the Portsmouth side in his favoured left wing position at Turf Moor, what a battle that would be to mark his return.