'I hope...': Portsmouth boss' Josh Murphy injury admission as frustrating wait continues
The former Cardiff man has featured just 14 times for the Blues this season
John Mousinho ‘hopes’ Josh Murphy will play again this season as Pompey’s boss struggles to pinpoint a potential injury return.
The reigning The News/Sports Mail Player of the Season has missed the Blues’ last 12 matches after breaking the little toe in his right foot.
Initially, he was also nursing a hamstring strain collected in December’s 1-1 draw at Derby shortly before Christmas, but that has long been rectified.
The Blues are now awaiting the outcome of a ‘final consultation’ over Murphy's ongoing metatarsal injury, which is scheduled for Thursday.
At this stage, however, Mousinho doesn’t feel comfortable in setting a potential return date - or even declaring whether the 30-year-old will definitely be back this season.
‘I think it’s wise on this one’
He told The News: ‘We are waiting for Murph’s final consultation on Thursday, so we’ll see off the back of that.
‘Will he play again this season? I hope so, we’ll just find out Thursday.
‘It’s one of those, I try to give some timelines on certain players and sometimes they don’t work out, I think it’s wise on this one.
‘I’m trying to give a realistic timeshare on Josh, but he’s had so many set-backs. We are just waiting to see what the answer is on when he’s fit.
‘He’s out of the (protective) boot, but still waiting for that bone to heal. He’s active and in the gym, although he just can’t run on the grass yet until he gets the all clear.’
14 appearances for Pompey this season
It has been an injury-ravaged season for the talented winger, who has been restricted to just 14 appearances.
To Pompey’s immense credit, despite the ongoing absence of one of their best players they are presently 19th in the Championship, six points clear of the relegation zone.
After a strong pre-season, Murphy missed the start of the campaign with a hamstring tear sustained in the final friendly fixture against PEC Zwolle at Fratton Park.
He returned after a two-game absence, against former club Norwich in August, before once again being sidelined by injury, just four matches into his comeback.
The former Cardiff man damaged ankle ligaments in his left ankle in the south-coast derby with Southampton, ruling him out of action for another six games.
Returning against Stoke in October, the 30-year-old was initially used off the bench to ease his way back into the Championship, before starting eight successive matches.
However, he was forced off with a hamstring concern in the 53rd minute of December’s 1-1 draw at Derby, having felt it while crossing the ball.
It later emerged the winger had also been playing on with a broken metatarsal sustained against Swansea at the end of November - and he hasn’t featured since.
Emergence of two winger rivals in January window
During Murphy’s lengthy absence, Millenic Alli has been outstanding on the left wing after arriving on loan from Luton, making that position his own.
Meanwhile, Gustavo Caballero has enjoyed an encouraging start to his Fratton Park career, having started the last two matches on the right wing, including scoring his maiden Pompey goal at Millwall on Saturday.
Murphy signed a new two-and-a-half year deal in October, keeping him at Fratton Park until the summer of 2028, after late transfer window interest from the Championship.