Winger provides Portsmouth with surprise injury boost ahead of QPR game
Harvey Blair is part of Pompey’s plans for Saturday’s away game at QPR
Harvey Blair could make his latest return from injury against QPR on Saturday.
The winger was forced to sit out Pompey’s 1-0 defeat to Derby County on Monday night due to a groin problem he was feeling the affects of during recent substitute appearances against Blackburn Rovers and Swansea respectively.
The injury - his fourth of the season to date - was anticipated to keep the former Liverpool youngster out of of first-team contention until after the international break.
However, the 22-year-old is in contention to return to the Blues’ match-day squad for this weekend’s trip to Loftus Road, with a place on the bench being earmarked for the forward as the Fratton Park medical team continue to take a cautious approach to his reovery.
Blair in contention for QPR game at Loftus Road
Blair has featured his 11 times for Pompey in the Championship this season.
His campaign has been disrupted by two hamstring injuries and a recent hip flexor issue he picked up in the first half the Blues’ FA Cup third-round defeat at the hands of Arsenal back in January.
That’s limited him to just six league starts. It’s also hampered Mousinho’s ability to reshuffle his attacking options amid a season that has seen Pompey struggle to create clear-cut chances and score goals as they sit just one point above the relegation zone.
Blair’s participation in preparations for Saturday’s trip to west London will, therefore, come as a welcome boost - especially with Josh Murphy and Franco Umeh out for the season, Keshi Anderson not due back until after the international break, and Florian Bianchini still struggling for fitness.
The former Reds youngster will also provide some much needed competition for Millenic Alli and Gustavo Caballero, whose games have tailed off slightly following impressive starts to life at Fratton Park following their January arrivals.
However, Mousinho - who last month handed the winger an ultimatium regarding his fitness - stressed any potential impact Blair will make on Saturday will have to come from the bench.
He told The News: ‘We will have Harvey back available for the bench, most likely for the weekend.
‘So not ready to start, but he’ll be available for the bench.
‘He should be fine, should be absolutely fine. He’s trained today. If he settles down and he’s okay, then all good.
‘We need to (be careful with him). That’s why I said he’s available for the bench, not to start.’
The Blues are reporting a clean bill of health from Monday’s night’s lost against Derby.
In addition, centre-back Josh Knight as returned to training after missing the past three-and-a-half months with a back injury.
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