Danny Cowley maintains hope that Sean Raggett's Portsmouth season isn't over

Raggett sustained a suspected fracture to his left cheekbone after a collision with Callum Lang in Monday’s 1-0 victory.

The incident left the Wigan man with concussion, while Raggett was also forced to leave the field nine minutes from time.

A worst-case scenario would potentially rule Raggett out of the eight remaining League One matches, plus any play-off campaign.

However, Danny Cowley is refusing to paint any bleak pictures.

And the Blues’ head coach is trying to maintain a positive outlook on a player who he knows will never quit, no matter the challenge he is faced with.

Cowley said: ‘It happened on the sideline and Sean’s just an honest boy isn’t he, he tries to win every ball.

‘He probably tried to win a ball that wasn’t there to be won and he has headed the back of Callum Lang’s head.

‘Lang went off with concussion, so you can see how big the collision was.

‘He injured his cheekbone, but we are not quite sure of the extent yet. Bobby has been doing the tests.

‘Players can wear protection and still feature, it depends on the type of fracture it is.

‘If it’s depressed then that can cause some problems, it’s very early.

‘I think there’s a concern he’ll be out for the season. We are hoping that it won’t need an operation, but there's a chance, looking at it now, that there will be.

‘Ultimately, there’s a lot of swelling, so we will let it settle and then get an X-ray. After that we’ll have a clear idea of what happens next.’

Raggett has been an ever-present in Pompey’s league campaign this season, totalling 38 appearances.

The last time he missed a Blues league or play-off match was in December 2019 against Peterborough.

On that occasion, Oli Hawkins was preferred in the centre of defence after Raggett had recently returned from an adductor strain.

Raggett was recalled the following match – a 4-1 defeat at Accrington – and from that point has been a fixture in the starting XI.

Rasmus Nicolaisen, who came on at the DW Stadium to help usher the Blues to their 1-0 victory, would be the obvious replacement for the duration Raggett is missing for.

Paul Downing is also available, although has yet to make a squad since the Cowleys arrived at Fratton Park.

But Pompey’s head coach is hoping Raggett can shrug off his setback to return before the 2020-21 campaign ends.

He added: ‘Sean’s a tough kid. It looks like he’s had 12 rounds with Mike Tyson, but he’s as brave as a player that I can remember working with.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

The News has launched a subscription offer which gives you unlimited access to all of our Pompey coverage, starting at less than 14p a day.

You can subscribe here to get the latest news from Fratton Park - and to support our local team of expert Pompey writers.