Portsmouth boss reveals position on top scorer’s return for big QPR and Cardiff City clashes

The Pompey boss welcomed his top scorer back into his squad, as they search for cutting edge to get their Championship campaign firing.

But Mousinho admitted throwing Lang back into the Championship deep end at Loftus Road may be a step too far, after approaching a month on the sidelines.

The Blues go to the capital this weekend looking to put the longest winless start to a season since the war to bed, against opposition who have also struggled so far this term.

Pompey have scored just four goals in their past six outings, with cutting edge an issue this season as they are shorn of their strikers.

With the likes of Kusini Yengi and Colby Bishop out of contention Lang has looked the most likely source of goals, with the January arrival from Wigan returning three finishes from six league starts.

A groin injury forced the 26-year-old off 14 minutes from time at Burnley last month, however, and was Lang’s last first-team involvement.

Now the consideration for Mousinho is whether to risk the Scouser this weekend, as Pompey return with a quickfire three games in seven days as meetings with Cardiff and Sheffield Wednesday follow.

Pompey know Yengi is back in contention for the meeting with Marti Cifuentes’ side, with Elias Sorensen, Mark O’Mahony and Christian Saydee the other striking considerations.

That could take some of the pressure off forcing Lang’s comeback, though the Pompey boss acknowledged the obvious boost his fitness offers.

Mousinho said: ‘Callum has joined us for training, whether he is going to be available for the weekend I don’t know but that is a positive sign. It’s maybe a step too far considering he has been out for about four weeks now.’