Portsmouth boss John Mousinho
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho

John Mousinho provides Josh Murphy injury update after Portsmouth beaten by Charlton Athletic

Pete Hanson

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Josh Murphy will be assessed for an ankle injury on Monday after going off hurt as Portsmouth were beaten in pre-season by Charlton Athletic, manager John Mousinho has said.

Pompey rounded out their preparations for the Championship season-opener against Leeds United next Saturday (10 August) with a 2-0 loss at the Addicks.

To further compound the disappointment, winger Murphy - who joined on a free transfer from fellow Championship new boys Oxford United - had to be replaced late in the first half.

Updating on Murphy's condition to the club's official website after the game, Mousinho said: "He took a knock to the ankle and that’s swollen up.

"So, we’ll have to assess how it is on Monday morning and go from there.”

Portsmouth face nervy wait on Josh Murphy

A few supporters are starting to get nervy after a couple of underwhelming performances to end pre-season, with the Charlton loss following a 1-1 draw against MK Dons in midweek.

But there really is nothing to fear yet. You see it often where clubs have a poor pre-season then perform well when the proper action begins and vice-versa.

However, what will be a bigger concern is the sight of one of the club's marquee summer signings coming off hurt at the end of the first half.

Josh Murphy is a new signing with plenty of Championship experience
Josh Murphy is a new signing with plenty of Championship experience

Murphy is a player who can be a real difference-maker and certainly he is a player you would have wanted to be available for a really tricky opener against Leeds at Elland Road.

Hopefully, Monday will bring good news on the 29-year-old's fitness and he will be fit to make the lengthy trip north, but at the moment there is a bit of a nervy wait to endure.

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