Portsmouth fears over Gustavo Caballero after fresh Fratton Park injury blow
The Paraguayan international collected a groin injury at Middlesborough last weekend
John Mousinho admits time is running out for Gustavo Caballero to play again for Pompey this season.
The Paraguayan international missed Tuesday night’s huge win over promotion-hunting Ipswich with a groin issue sustained at Middlesbrough.
The Blues have four matches remaining over a two-and-a-half week period before the Championship season ends on May 2.
And Mousinho is concerned that timeframe could prevent Caballero from featuring again this term.
‘I guess the only issue with that is we’ve only got two-and-a-half weeks left’
He told The News: ‘Gus felt his groin at the weekend, he felt it in the first half but played through it.
‘With a player as explosive as that, we just had to take him out. We don’t know what extent that’s going to be, we don’t think it’s going to be too bad because he managed to play on in that game.
‘He didn’t come off because of the groin. I guess the only issue with that is we’ve only got two-and-a-half weeks left on the season.
‘I think he will play again this season, we will have to play it by ear, it’s two or three days post-injury at the moment. We’ve got to protect Gus as well and see how he is.’
Swansea loanee returns to Pompey squad after four-and-a-half months out
Pompey hold an exclusive option on Caballero, with a transfer fee fixed as part of his loan arrangement from Santos.
The 24-year-old has featured 12 times and scored once during his time on the south coast, making a favourable impact as he continues to adapt to the English game.
In the meantime, the Blues have turned back to Bianchini to add to their winger options for the remainder of the season.
The Swansea loanee previously hadn’t been included in a squad since November’s defeat to Bristol City, with an ongoing knee injury subsequently sidelining him.
However, having impressed Mousinho since returning to training a fortnight ago, coupled with Caballero’s injury and the need to rest Keshi Anderson, Pompey decided to include him on the bench against Ipswich.
Bianchini subsequently wasn’t used in the 2-0 victory which lifts them into 19th place, following first-half goals from Conor Shaughnessy and Colby Bishop.
Yet, having taken up the final slot in their 25-man Football League squad, the Frenchman is now eligible for the final four matches.
That means Josh Knight’s season is now over, despite his return from a long-standing back injury. With all spaces now occupied, the former Peterborough man cannot be registered.
Mousinho added: ‘With Gus coming out of the squad and Keshi having those back-to-back starts, we looked at the situation.
‘We are pretty well-stocked at centre-half and all of a sudden a couple of wingers light, so we decided to register Flo and bring him back in because he has been training very well.’