Portsmouth await injury news on James Bolton following Scunthorpe setback
Pompey are assessing the extent of James Bolton’s injury.
The right-back had to be replaced in the 49th minute of Tuesday night’s 2-1 victory over Scunthorpe which earned a Leasing.com Trophy semi-final spot.
Bolton, who had reported a thigh issue at the interval, was replaced by Christian Burgess at full-back for the remainder of the match.
The summer recruit will today be given a scan to uncover the full nature of the problem.
And it already raises doubts over whether he will be available for Saturday’s FA Cup visit of Barnsley.
Assistant manager Joe Gallen said: ‘He complained at half-time of a problem with his thigh.
‘We are hopeful it’s not a muscle problem, an indication that it might not be is he didn't quite feel it doing anything dynamic, so it might be a dead leg or something else.
‘If it is a muscle injury, that isn’t good news, but we don’t know, we will find out.’
It’s tough luck for Bolton, who has been given a run at right-back following an uncertain start to his Fratton Park career.
Ross McCrorie, is a potential replacement, yet has still to return from Rangers following treatment of a hamstring injury.
Another alternative could be youngster Haji Mnoga, who lined up for the Blues at right-back at Walsall in the Leasing.com Trophy earlier this month.
Jackett this week admitted he was prepared to let the 17-year-old out on loan to the National League to gain first-team experience.
That could be put on hold, depending on the outcome of Bolton’s scan.