Portsmouth boss gives significant injury update on ex-Sunderland and Luton Town duo after Carabao Cup absences when touted for returns

And it was Louis Thompson being potentially sidelined for a lengthy period which led to the Blues boss not risking the Wales international in the Carabao Cup loss at Newport County.

Meanwhile, Cowley revealed he decided the time wasn’t right for Denver Hume’s comeback at Rodney Parade after five months on the sidelines.

Both Morrell and Hume were earmarked for returns against James Rowberry’s side in the second round meeting.

The Wales international underwent a hernia operation which has meant he’s yet to feature this term, after a busy period for club and county.

After a bright start to life at Fratton Park after his £200,000 arrival from Sunderland in January, Hume has now been sidelined for five months with back injury which has consequently impacted his calf.

Cowley stressed their omissions at Newport doesn’t point to anything untoward for either man.

The hope is both players will be in contention for a place in Cowley’s squad for this weekend’s trip to Port Vale.

He said: ‘It’s a long season and we just made the decision to give them another week of training.

‘So hopefully they will be available for the weekend.

‘There’s nothing at all (concerning). We just felt they needed slightly more training to make sure they are safe.

‘It makes sense with Denver because he’s been out for so long.

‘With Joe, the Louis Thompson situation means we can’t take any risks because we’ve already lost one midfielder for what looks the long term.'