No injury respite for Appleton
David Norris is leading the race for fitness but this week's clashes could come too soon. Picture: Sarah Standing (114165-1206)
Michael Appleton’s injury waiting game goes on as Pompey prepare for two games in five days.
Aaron Mokoena, Luke Varney and David Norris will all miss tomorrow night’s Birmingham City clash.
And there is the very real possibility the injured trio could also be absent from the visit to Blackpool on Saturday, too.
Mokoena has still to return to training following the hamstring injury he picked up against West Ham.
Midfielder Norris – who is suspended for tomorrow’s game – is currently also recovering from a double hernia operation.
In addition, Varney has been given time off as he looks to recover from the medial knee ligament strain he picked up in December.
All of Appleton’s other injury concerns were in the frame to feature in the postponed Hull match on Saturday.
Yet the remaining trio continue to be doubts amid a busy fixture list for the smallest squad in the Football League.
The Blues boss said: ‘Against Hull the squad would have been exactly the same as last week against Peterborough, albeit without Ryan Williams.
‘On top of that, we still have Luke Varney, David Norris and Aaron Mokoena to come back.
‘Aaron is still feeling his hamstring at the minute and that is a little bit frustrating.
‘Luke had most of last week off resting on the advice of the specialist, so we are hoping to see him out on the training ground this week.
‘Even if it is with the physios just doing a little bit of ball work, getting him out on the training field again would be good.
‘Those three are out for tomorrow – possibly all of them are also out for Blackpool.
‘I’d imagine the one who will be closest would be David Norris.
‘But we will assess that throughout the week.’
Despite the Hull match called off due to a frozen pitch, there were parts of Fratton Park the players could use on Saturday.
As a result, they staged an impromptu training session in front of the north stand.
Those taking part included several players doubtful leading up to the fixture.
And they will once again be available for the St Andrews trip tomorrow.
Appleton added: ‘Ricardo (Rocha) and Kits (Dave Kitson) trained on Saturday after being ill.
‘Joel Ward had an injection in his toe and trained, as did Jason Pearce with his (buttock) injury.
‘Pretty much everyone who had been missing for most of the week did train.
‘It’s a shame there was no match, they would have gone into the game with a really good feeling about it regardless of the on-going situation.
‘They were all confident after a good win at Peterborough and wanted to take that into the game.’
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Comments
There are 20 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
ozinaus
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 04:12 PMWell if he did Matty he was pi55ed by 8:48am according to his latest excuse.
MattyPUPPTIDc MattyC
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 03:37 PMTiger was alledgedly coming over for teh Hull match - given the distance that means he must be in the UK........................................................ hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
allezlesbleus
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 03:03 PMozinaus, I feel more aligned with your views and have only agreed with Tiger once but sadly we must defend the right to free speech. The Imposter, I signed up a few weeks ago and you are right to chase to get people involved.
The Imposter
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 02:34 PMAnyway I hope you've all signed up to the 12TH man website.................www.pompeys12thman.co.uk
ozinaus
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 02:22 PMIndeed he is allez as I am mine. And mine is that he is an irritating know f#ck all fool! I am fed up with his constant sniping and criticism of fans and of the trust, who's only crime is desperately trying to do anything to save the club we all love. This is the man whom recently mercifully ridiculed and abused some fans, (particularly 1 female fan) because they had a differing view on a point that he was for once proved correct on. Hardly somebody who pulls together when needs be. If the cap fits my friend, if the cap fits.
OldPompeyBlue
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 01:22 PMI'm confused how JP got his injury to his buttocks. Maybe it was AA trying to kick him all the way to Ipswich, haha.
allezlesbleus
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 01:06 PMTiger is entitled to post as he wishes and to suggest otherwise is wrong - even when he was railing against me and talking about munching croissants a while back. We have more important things to worry about and as fans of the same club we should be more tolerant with each other (appreciate that even Tiger could learn form that - or is that on old fashioned view that is now toast)
andi4asg
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 11:38 AMProbably, sorry
chimonkey
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 11:32 AMDon't u mean West Ham not Watford?
andi4asg
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 11:01 AMMoks pulled up holding his hamstring area in the Watford game much earlier than when he actually went off, it was an irresponsible act to carry on playing when this type of injury is possible, lets face it we went on to win without him anyway, in which case it doesn't really matter if he is availble, I'll get my coat then
ozinaus
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 10:28 AMOK. Join the mutiny. Today this site tomorrow the tiger brewery!
0k
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 10:02 AMIf only onzinaus... You forget this his own personal space..
ozinaus
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 09:50 AMI know that Matty but he at least tends to go missing 4 a bit and I enjoy the respite. Personal favorite excuses for his tripe. "I type to fast". "Its dark" and the usual " I've had 2 many tigers". When in truth its just that he's a f#cklng idiot who drunk to much wok and taken to much kok.
MattyPUPPTIDc MattyC
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 09:35 AMozinaus - Nice try at losing the Tiger, we have all tried that before but he comes up with an equally insane reason why he does not have to stop posting!!!
ozinaus
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 08:56 AMTiger.how about this. If Pompey don't win the next 4 and Leeds and boro don't "fall on their swords" as u confidently predict u promise not to come on here with your inane ramblings. Likewise if they do then I wont. Confident? I am.
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