Regan Poole and Josh Knight update with Portsmouth defensive duo missing at Charlton Athletic
Regan Poole and Josh Knight were surprising absences at Charlton Athletic. John Mousinho provides an update tonight ahead of Swansea City and Blackburn Rovers.
John Mousinho has confirmed his central defensive duo were missing at Charlton Athletic due to injury.
Regan Poole and Josh Knight were both absent from the Pompey squad at The Valley today, as the Championship clash was abandoned due to a medical emergency.
There was surprise at that development amid six Mousinho changes against the Addicks, after the disappointing defeat against Bristol City last weekend.
But the Blues head coach explained it was an ankle injury which was keeping Poole out of the side, as his ever-present league run came to an end.
Meanwhile, Knight injured his back this week as Ibane Bowat and Hayden Matthews came into the back four in south-east London.
Speaking this afternoon after the Charlton game, Mousinho provided an update on the current first-choice central defensive pairing.
He said: ‘Regan turned his ankle in training yesterday, so we’re waiting to see how bad that one is.
‘Josh was struggling with his back and was 50-50, but didn’t make it. He should be okay for Swansea.
‘We’re hopeful that neither are too serious, but we don’t know about that at the moment.
‘Regan was set to start but didn’t make it, while Josh has been struggling all week with his back.’
The absence of Poole and Knight meant Matthews started his first Pompey game since 4-0 humbling at Birmingham City at the start of last month.
Bowat was back in the team for the first time since the 3-2 loss at Hull City last month, as he made a fifth Pompey appearance which was consequently scrubbed from the record books.
Now attention turns to the trip to south Wales, as Pompey face a Swansea City side who ended a five-match losing streak against Oxford United.
Mousinho forwarded his view over which of the injured central defenders are most likely to be back in contention.
He added: ‘Out of the two now, I’d say that Josh is the one which is more likely to be back on Tuesday.’