'I’m hopeful, but just not certain': Why Pompey are still wary over Ebou Adams playing again this season
The former Derby midfielder has made 14 appearances and scored twice since his January arrival
John Mousinho admits he cannot be absolutely certain Ebou Adams will play again for Pompey this season.
Although a ‘hopeful’ Blues boss is still pencilling in the influential midfielder for a return against Leicester (April 18).
The popular January recruit sustained MCL damage to his knee late on in the 6-1 humiliation at QPR, leaving the former Derby man visibly upset after the final whistle.
By Mousinho’s own admission, that emotional reaction left the Blues fearing the worst over Adams as they scrap for their Championship lives.
However, the diagnosis has subsequently proven more encouraging, albeit with the midfielder still expected to miss the next four games.
Although Mousinho is unable to offer a cast-iron guarantee of Adams’ return in 2025-26.
‘I’m hopeful, but I’m just not certain of anything’
He told The News: ‘It was a challenge late on in the game. When you saw a reaction from him like that, I feared the worst. His emotion was probably a bit of both (the injury and losing), I suspect.
‘I think Ebou will be back this season. We are hopeful he will be back for the Leicester game.
‘But you just don’t know, I’ve had so many this season. We were talking in December about Josh Murphy being a couple of weeks away and obviously that one hasn't worked out particularly well.
‘There have been others where injuries have dragged on. Shocks last season dragged on and on and on - and a two-week injury turned into a six-month injury.
‘So I’m hopeful, but I’m just not certain of anything until they are back out on the grass actually playing a game.
‘But it’s definitely not as bad as it could have been.’
Big Fratton Park favourite
Adams has swiftly established himself as a Fratton favourite since arriving from Derby for a bargain £500,000 in January.
In addition to his powerful, energetic midfield displays, the former Cardiff man marked his home debut with the equaliser against Southampton in January.
He has gone on to score twice in 14 appearances, proving to be a pivotal figure - and one of the star performers - in the battle to avoid relegation to League One.
Mousinho’s men will now be without Adams from the key Good Friday trip to Norwich, a potential four-game absence which would also include Oxford United, Middlesbrough and Ipswich.
With Andre Dozzell not expected to return from his ankle injury at Carrow Road and John Swift likely to be moved further forward after the QPR tactical oversight, Pompey now have a selection problem in the centre of midfield.
Although Marlon Pack will start, Mousinho has to decide whether to also grant out-of-favour Luke Le Roux his first Championship start since New Year’s Day.
Other alternatives would be for Zak Swanson to feature there, following his midfield start in the 1-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday in January, or moving Terry Devlin back into a role he has plenty of experience in.
In the meantime, Mousinho insists the patient remains in good spirits.
He added: ‘Ebou is very, very bright and very enthusiastic, as you would expect him to be. He is exactly as advertised!’
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