Portsmouth boss provides update on Zak Swanson after former Arsenal youngster sits out draw with Barnsley

The young defender was not part of the Blues’ match-day starting XI or bench for their home draw against Barnsley on Saturday.

His surprise absence raised a few eyebrows among the Fratton faithful, with his place in the team handed to deadline-day signing Di’Shon Bernard.

That heightened fears of yet another injury to a Pompey squad that has been decimated by unavailability all season.

And it appears those initial concerns proved correct, with head coach Mousinho confirming that Swanson, 22, has joined Joe Rafferty, Tom Lowery, Jay Mingi, Ronan Curtis and Clark Robertson in the medical room.

A groin injury prevented the former Arsenal youngster from making his 26th appearance of the season against the Tykes.

However, the Blues boss was staying relaxed about the latest injury blow to hit the club. He insisted the right-back’s absence was purely precautionary following a recent hectic schedule.

Speaking to The News after the Barnsley stalemate, Mousinho said: ‘Zak’s just feeling an injury off the back of three games last week – three 90 minutes.

‘I think that’s the first time he’s had three 90 minutes in a week.

‘He tried to train on Thursday and again on Friday but couldn’t quite make it, so I hope it’s not a long-term one.

‘It was just an injury precaution leaving him out of the squad.

‘He’s just struggling slightly with a groin issue, nothing major.

‘We’re just making sure that it’s right, it settles down and doesn’t cause any more injuries.

‘That’s the biggest thing. We don’t want players coming back and getting hit again with more serious issues.’

Mousinho added the step up from academy football can prove tough for young players looking to make the transition to the rough and tumble of the Football League.

‘The demands of League One are heavy. It’s relentless,’ he said.

‘You have to be able to live up to that and stand up to that. It’s Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday and they’re tough games.

‘There’s a lot of travelling. We were on the road for what seemed most of the week last week and it’s a big part of the game, the physicality, coming from under-23s football. It’s very different.’