‘A big blow for us’: Portsmouth sweating on Ebou Adams injury after Derby County signing left in tears at QPR
Pompey boss John Mousinho updates on the potentially huge loss of key Pompey man Ebou Adams.
Pompey are fearing a potentially seismic loss of Ebou Adams at a critical moment in their fight for Championship survival.
John Mousinho admitted the Blues are facing a ‘big blow’ to their bid to remain in the second tier, as they wait for news over a knee injury to the midfielder.
Mousinho on Adams injury: ‘Would be a big blow for us’
Adams left the pitch in tears on Saturday in the wake of the 6-1 thrashing by QPR at Loftus Road, on a bleak day for hopes of remaining in the division.
The £500,000 signing from Derby County in January appeared to pick up the issue late on in the humbling, as Mousinho’s side made it six games without a win in embarrassing fashion.
Adams was in an emotional state as he applauded the 1.744 travelling fans after the game, as they vented their fury at what they saw from the side.
Mousinho felt the 30-year-old’s reaction was a combination of his feelings over the performance and the midfielder carrying the injury.
There’s little doubt the loss of Adams would arguably be the single biggest loss Pompey could suffer, with the combative operator a huge influence across 13 Blues appearances.
Mousinho said: ‘I think he’s done something to his knee.
‘I don’t know what, but he was icing it in the changing rooms.
‘I think his reaction at the end was a combination of things, it was a combination of the injury and the result.
‘We’re really thin in certain positions. That’s one where we’re without Doz (Andre Dozzell), we’re without Doz at the minute and we’ve been short of options in there.
‘We’ve been looking to turn that around, so that would be a big blow for us.’
While Pompey wait to hear the extent of Adams’ injury, they will expect to see Dozzell back in contention after the international break after eight games out with an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, Keshi Anderson is due back from a hamstring injury for the Good Friday trip to Norwich City, after 10 games missing since suffering the blow against West Brom in January.
Dozzell set to aid midfield amid Adams blow
Speaking over Dozzell’s return last week, Mousinho said: ‘He’s still on track to return after the international break. There’s still a couple of weeks between now and then, but that’s what we’re hoping for - the Norwich game.
‘We’ve missed him. In his absence Marlon has deputised for Doz brilliantly well - I think he’s been excellent, Marlon.
‘But it’s just having that extra option in the middle of the park, whether Doz is playing as a six or an eight.
‘I think if we were playing Ebou (Adams) and Marlon (Pack) in games we’d still want Doz an option, whether that was with them, supplementing them or changing a few bits around. That’s useful when you’re on a heavy run of games or playing games back to back.
‘Doz has been one of our most consistent performers this season and has started every game he’s been available for - that’s for a good reason.’