Portsmouth boss allays fears over John Murphy after winger spotted in protective boot
Josh Murphy was spotted in a protective boot following Pompey’s win at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday
John Mousinho has allayed concerns that were expressed over Josh Murphy’s fitness at the weekend.
The Pompey winger, who has been out since before Christmas with a hamstring injury, was spotted wearing a protective boot on is right foot as his team-mates celebrated their Championship win at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
That image, provided by the club’s own social media, prompted fears the 30-year-old’s current injury was more than what they had been told. The last update provided by Mousinho ahead of the Arsenal game suggested the winger would be back between 2-3 weeks and potentially in time for the home game against West Brom on January 31.
Yet the Pompey boss has moved quickly to quell any anxiety his side could be without arguably their biggest goal threat for a more prolonged period.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday night’s trip to Watford, Mousinho stressed the protective boot was nothing more than a precautionay measure after Murphy had received a series of injections for ‘two or three’ other ailments they are currently managing.
And while a return in time for the visit of the Baggies was looking unlikely for the forward, the game at Preston North End on February 7 was a realistic target.
John Mouisnho provides latest on Josh Murphy
When asked about Murphy being spotted on Saturday in the boot, Mousinho said: ‘(It’s the) same as it was and we're still looking at two to three weeks for Murph.
‘I know there was a bit of concern over the fact that he was wearing that protective boot at the weekend, but that was just a consequence of the fact that he had been playing and getting injections. So whilst we're taking him off his feet for the hamstring issue, we're looking after two or three other things as well.
‘So I remember saying at the time when Murph came off against Derby, he's been playing through a hell of a lot and trying to do everything he can to play for the football club.
‘It was just too much after the Derby game and now we have to try and get him right.
‘We were hopeful at one point that it (his return) might be West Brom, but it's probably going to be the week after that.
‘Ipswich is midweek, so possibly the game after Ipswich.’
Murphy’s injury-hit season
Murphy, who signed a new contract with the club in October, has sat out Pompey’s past five games because of the hamstring injury he suffered against Derby on December 20.
That means he featured just 15 times for the Blues this season, with an initial hamstring injury and then an ankle problem ruling him out of eight games earlier in the campaign.
With his six assists so far this term making him Pompey’s biggest source of goals, there’s no doubt his absence has been missed by the Blues, who remain in trouble at the wrong end of the table.
New signing Millenic Alli filled in on the left-flank at Hillsborough on Saturday and impressed, supplying the cross which Adrian Segecic tucked home for Pompey’s first away win since the opening day of the season against Oxford United.
Despite that and Murphy closing in on a welcome return, the Blues are still expected to bolster their attacking options over the remainder of the transfer window.