The Blues opted for Regan Poole as the only centre-half on their bench against Cardiff

From starting against Derby to being omitted from the squad for Cardiff four days later, it was quite a fall for Madiodio Dia.

And John Mousinho insists it was team selection - rather than injury - which was responsible for the centre-half's surprise Fratton Park absence on Saturday.

Madiodio Dia was dropped from Pompey's squad against Cardiff - having their previous match. Picture: Jason Brown | Jason Brown

placeholder image — Madiodio Dia was dropped from Pompey's squad against Cardiff - having their previous match. Picture: Jason Brown | Jason Brown

Dia replaced the rested Conor Shaughnessy for the mid-week defeat to Derby, marking a sixth start in English football since his February arrival from Sweden.

It was a performance which drew criticism from some Pompey fans, while Mousinho subsequently opted against naming the former FK Haugesund man in the Blues’ 20-man squad on Saturday.

And the Blues’ head coach has explained his reasoning for the ruthless decision.

‘Jojo can count himself really unlucky and really unfortunate to miss out’

Mousinho told The News: ‘We made the decision in terms of who we got on the bench to fill it in a certain way. Jojo didn't have any injury, it was just the decision we made.

‘Jojo can count himself really unlucky and really unfortunate to miss out. There's always that sort of stigma attached to being out of the squad or being out of the side, but it happens when trying to pick the best 20 you think will win you the game

Madiodio Dia has made nine appearances since joining Pompey in February. Picture: Jason Brown | Jason Brown

‘They are the tough decisions we have to make when we've got players back, when we've got players at full fitness.

‘We didn't have Shocks in the squad on Tuesday night, so we brought him back on Saturday and he made the difference. Players just have to be patient and make sure they take the chance when it comes.’

One centre-half on Portsmouth’s bench

Regan Poole was the sole central defender named on the nine-man bench for the visit of Cardiff to Fratton Park.

Contrast that to last month’s season curtain-raiser at West Ham, when Dia, Josh Knight and Hayden Matthews were among the substitutes for the Carabao Cup clash.

Conor Shaughnessy celebrates scoring the opener in the 2-0 victory over Cardiff. Picture: Jason Brown | Jason Brown

Following four losses in their opening five fixtures, it represented a more attacking bench against the Bluebirds, with Harvey Blair, Luke Brooke-Smith and John Swift joining Dia out of the squad.

Mousinho’s men responded with a welcome victory as Shaughnessy, replacing Dia in the centre of defence, and Marko Milovanovic netted in the 2-0 triumph.

Mousinho added: ‘It was an attacking bench on Saturday, you've had three centre-halves in there sometimes this season. Against Cardiff we had the options there.

‘Swanny can play anywhere across the back line, so we thought he’d give us that cover. I think Regan can pretty much play anywhere across the back line, maybe apart from left-back.

‘Odin (Bailey) has played a little at left-back, so there was that cover there. Swanny probably gives us that the most in terms of cover, Marlon can drop back if we need to.

‘We tried to win the game against Cardiff, we wanted to have attacking options, and hopefully we got the balance right.’

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