Portsmouth boss reveals Josh Murphy outlook for rest of season after shock return
The latest on Josh Murphy’s availability tonight, after the reigning player of the season’s surprise return against Leicester City today.
Josh Murphy has been given the green light for limited involvement as Pompey bid to seal their Championship status.
But John Mousinho explained he’d likely leave the Blues’ star man out of his squad, as and when his side’s position in the second tier is confirmed.
Pompey boss: ‘We rushed Josh back’
That’s after Murphy made a shock return to the fray against Leicester City, despite his season seemingly being over after fracturing his metatarsal.
The reigning player of the season’s presence on the team-sheet today offered a major and unexpected boost to supporters ahead of their critical survival clash.
Murphy was cleared for limited involvement but with Pompey forced into two early changes with Terry Devlin and Keshi Anderson injured, their final window was utilised throwing on Jacob Brown and Ebou Adams.
Mousinho explained he made the call using the 31-year-old wasn’t a risk worth taking with his side in front through Ibane Bowat’s finish, as he praised Murphy’s effort in returning ahead of schedule.
He said: ‘We rushed Josh back.
‘Under any other circumstances we wouldn’t have him on the team-sheet, but Josh has done enough to be available for 10-15 minutes if needed.
‘That’s testament to Josh and his willingness to put his body on the line for the lads.
‘We didn’t need him today, but he’s way, way ahead of schedule. I anticipated maybe the end of the season, but we had the option of Josh if we wanted to take it.
‘The sub window impacted it (Murphy coming on). He was also a substitution we’d use only if we desperately needed him to score a goal.
‘Because we didn’t need a goal towards the end it wasn’t worth the risk of throwing Murphy on, especially bearing in mind he hasn’t played since December as well.
‘I know players want to play and get on, but you have to manage that within the intensity of the game and how fast paced it is.
‘We have to be very, very wary of that. Sometimes players look dead on their feet, but they are still at the pace of the game and know set-pieces etcetera, so it was a decision I made in the moment.’
Murphy involvement for rest of season: ‘10-15 in final three games’
Mousinho confirmed Murphy is available for Tuesday’s trip to promoted Coventry City and can play up to 15 minutes of the final three games of the season, though he would likely not risk the 2024 arrival as and when Pompey are safe.
He added: ‘It would probably be the same again on Tuesday. He won’t be available to start any games but we could have him for 10-15 in each of those final three games.
‘I haven’t really thought about the situation if we’re safe, we’d probably pull him out at that point.’