'It's great' - Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho provides update on Marlon Pack following former Cardiff midfielder's knee surgery

The Pompey midfielder returned to training on the grass with the first team today – less than a month after having surgery on his knee.

The 31-year-old’s involvement was modified as the Blues aim to carefully manage his recovery.

However, Pack’s presence delighted head coach John Mousinho, who was glad to see the former Cardiff and Bristol City favourite back in action.

Speaking to The News ahead of Saturday’s game against Port Vale, the Pompey boss said: ‘Marlon has been back on the grass this morning.

'He trained in a modified way with the first team - did the passing drill, did the possession, and then went in just to make sure we protected him as he did have surgery.

‘It's easy to forget that it was only three weeks ago when he went under the knife.

'So, it's great to have him back. He's a really positive influence around the group, a real calm head and it's great to have him back out – but he's probably a couple of weeks away.’

Pack hasn’t featured for Pompey since their 3-1 defeat at Plymouth on February 11. As a result, the midfielder has subsequently missed the Blues’ past nine games.

A lay-off of 4-6 weeks was originally estimated. And with the fans’ favourite making a tentative return to training, that early prognosis appears well-founded.

Mousinho, however, insisted he’ll resist the urge to rush Pack back into first-team action.

‘We'd like to think so (have him back for first-team duty in a couple of weeks time), if everything goes well,’ he added.

‘We have to take it slowly, though. Because he's not been out for a huge amount of time, I think the rush can sort of be straight away and come back in.

'But we have to remember that he's been under the knife, and even though surgery these days is really advanced, it still takes quite a toll on the body and the knee itself.'

The head coach added he has no fresh injury worries heading into the game against Port Vale.

That means only Pack, Zak Swanson and Ronan Curtis miss out through injury.

However, Joe Pigott remains suspended, while Joe Morrell and Dane Scarlett are away on international duty.