Portsmouth receive Andy Cannon boost

Pompey have received encouraging news about Andy Cannon's groin injury. Picture: Joe Pepler

A scan has shown the midfielder has suffered a ‘minor’ groin injury – and he could return for Crewe (November 21).

Earlier in the week, assistant manager Joe Gallen revealed the Blues were unable to put a timeframe on how long Cannon would be absent until he had undergone a scan.

Now Pompey are aware of the full extent of the injury – and it represents encouraging news.

And Kenny Jackett has pencilled in Crewe as a potential comeback for the in-form former Rochdale man.

Pompey’s boss said: ‘Andy has had a scan and is improving well, it doesn’t seem too bad.

‘Both he and Jack Whatmough will be the next two back, whether that’s Monday (Plymouth) or the following Saturday (Crewe), those two won’t be too far away.

‘With Andy, it’s only a minor groin injury. It won’t be too long.

‘It’s hard to really call for Monday. It’s about whether he can train, we have a few more days, but he’s not far away, maybe one or two games away.

‘It’s minor and he is confident on it at the moment in terms of improvement.

‘It’s really hard to say exactly when those players will be back, we will see how the week progresses.’

Should Cannon be available for Crewe, it means he would have missed just one League One fixture – the November 16 trip to Plymouth.

The 24-year-old sustained the injury during the first half of Saturday’s FA Cup clash at Ipswich, forcing his substitution.

He has so far made 15 appearances this season and has established himself as Tom Naylor’s central midfield partner.