Portsmouth boss’ Millwall boost as side handed huge lift ahead of Championship return
Pompey have struggle for Championship form, but John Mousinho has confirmed the squad is set to be boosted for Millwall.
John Mousinho has confirmed Pompey are on course for a triple fitness pick-me-up ahead of their return to Championship action.
And the Blues boss believes the trio of key men set to come back into the fray for the clash with Millwall next week will hand his side a much-needed lift, as they search for league impetus.
Pompey having players back a ‘benefit’
Mousinho's side are struggling on a run of a single second-tier success in 11 outings, a run which has seen early-season evaporate as his team fall down the table.
A swathe of fitness setbacks has undoubtedly been a factor in that run, with issues being concentrated in attacking areas a particular frustration.
Mousinho has cited the Millwall game after the international break, as the match where his options will be bolstered by the returning ‘cavalry’.
And it’s Callum Lang, Nico Schmid and Adrian Segecic in particular who the Pompey boss has cited as the options boosting his selection options.
With Josh Murphy also back in the fray after an ankle issue, Mousinho sees the quartet being able to shake his side out of a difficult period.
When asked about players returning being able to lift his group, Mousinho said: ‘It’s felt like that over the past couple of weeks anyway, particularly with Murph coming back and being such a key player for us.
‘He’s been an important player for us and we also know how much of an impact Langy’s had over the past couple of seasons at the football club.
‘He was outstanding when we signed him in the middle of the League One-winning season and has carried that on. He’s carried that form into the Championship and been even better.
‘Having those faces back, having Segs back and the likes of Nico to boost everything as well is a benefit.
‘Having those three back for the Millwall game is definitely going to lift us and intensify competition in the squad.’
Blair and Umeh set to return to training for Pompey
Schmid has been out of the Pompey equation for over two months since fracturing the metacarpal bone in hand in the south-coast derby against Southampton.
A collision with Connor Ogilvie actioned by the defender being shoved by Southampton’s Tom Fellows, led to the Austrian’s spell on the sidelines.
Lang has been a big miss after the key attacker underwent hamstring surgery, after suffering the latest setback in that area against Norwich City in August.
Segecic produced a flying start to his Pompey career after arriving from Sydney FC in June, bagging three goals early on in the campaign.
The 21-year-old suffered his ankle injury after being introduced against Coventry City from the bench, just minutes after being thrown into action.
That is the trio Mousinho is banking on being able to select against Alex Neil’s side, who have impressed this season and sit in the play-off places ahead of their trip to PO4.
Franco Umeh is expected to be in full training this week, with the Crystal Palace signing dealing with a hamstring issue since his deadline day arrival.
It’s expected to be a similar story for Harvey Blair, who’s also been dealing with a hamstring issue.
The likes of Thomas Waddingham (quad), Jacob Farrell (groin) and Conor Shaughnessy (hamstring) are still sidelined, however.