Portsmouth boss reveals Josh Murphy’s fate and Conor Chaplin's outlook as injury woes mount again
Josh Murphy is set for a six-week stint on the sidelines before he can return to aid Pompey’s fight for Championship survival.
And Conor Chaplin is looking at up to a fortnight out, after picking up a groin injury as the Blues’ injury woes once again mount.
Blues boss John Mousinho has confirmed the time frame for Murphy’s comeback from a fractured metatarsal, picked up against Swansea City in December.
And that leaves the key attacking figure looking at the trip to Norwich City on April 3 for his comeback, after the international break at the end of March.
Murphy has been carrying a string of issues, including hip, hamstring and ankle issues, with Mousinho tonight confirming the outlook after seeing a specialist on Thursday.
He said: ‘Murph is still looking at a couple of weeks off feet.
‘Then he will be back in training, but he’s still looking at around six weeks (before he returns).’
Mousinho has tonight confirmed Sunderland loanee Aji Alese is out for the season, after tearing his quad when coming on in the 86th minute against Preston North End last week.
There’s better news for Conor Chaplin, however, who was absent from today’s Sheffield United defeat. Chaplin is looking at up to two weeks out with the issue.
Mousinho added: ‘Conor has felt his groin and is looking at 10-14 days, it’s nothing too serious.
‘Aji has unfortunately torn his quad at Preston and that’s him out for the season.’
Pompey also picked new worries to Andre Dozzell and Adrian Segecic this afternoon.
Dozzell appeared to ankle in a clash with Patrick Bamford, as he attempted to clear the ball.
The midfielder tried to continue, but was then replaced by Luke Le Roux and left the ground in a protective boot this evening.
Meanwhile, Segecic went off for Jacob Brown after going down following a clash with Sheffield United keeper Michael Cooper.
Mousinho didn’t have any immediate clarity on the outlook for the pair, however.
He added: ‘I genuinely don’t know in terms of other injuries, we’ll have to see how things settled down tomorrow. I think Segs’ one came in that clash with Cooper.’