Portsmouth boss provides crucial injury update over midfield duo ahead of key Norwich City and Oxford United contests
Pompey face Norwich City and Oxford United over a busy Easter weekend.
John Mousinho has confirmed Ebou Adams will be sidelined for the ‘next couple of games’ after ‘tweaking’ his MCL against QPR.
And the head coach has admitted the Blues will also be without Andre Dozzell for Friday’s trip to Norwich City.
Adams has been a huge presence in Pompey’s engine room following his £500,000 move from Derby County in January, which has seen him feature 14 times so far.
The influential midfielder sustained a knee issue during the 6-1 thrashing at Loftus Road ahead of the international break and was inconsolable after the full-time whistle in west London.
The Blues were without nine players for the dismal defeat to QPR, with Adams now adding to that cohort currently in the treatment room.
Pompey boss provides key Ebou Adams injury update ahead of Norwich
However, Mousinho has allayed any serious fears for the 30-year-old at the critical time of the campaign his troops prepare for the all-important run-in.
The head coach has admitted the midfielder is expected to miss the ‘next couple of games’ as he nurses the knee issue, but has been pencilled in to complete his comeback against Leicester City on April 18.
This means the all-action operator will miss the upcoming games against Norwich (Good Friday), Oxford United (Easter Monday) as well as the trip to Middlesbrough on April 11.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Mousinho said: ‘Ebou just tweaked his MCL slightly, so he’ll miss the next couple of games at least.
‘Most likely we’ll probably see him back in time for the Leicester game (on April 18).’
Further midfield injury woes for Pompey
Dozzell had been pencilled in to complete his comeback for the Good Friday trip to Carrow Road, having been sidelined since mid-February with an ankle issue.
The popular midfielder, who has amassed 31 outings in all competitions this term, sustained the injury during the closing stages of the Blues’ 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United at Fratton Park last month.
The set-back has forced the 26-year-old to miss the resulting eight matches, of which Pompey have picked up just seven points.
Despite being initially earmarked for a return against Norwich prior to the international break, Mousinho has admitted Dozzell won’t be fit enough to feature against Phillipe Clement’s in-form side on Friday.
But the head coach is confident the former QPR and Ipswich Town man can play some part against Oxford United on Easter Monday.
‘Andre won’t be in contention for the weekend,’ the Blues boss said.
‘I think if it will be anything, it will be for the Monday game against Oxford. But he won’t be ready to start.’