Update on Arsenal signing as Portsmouth new boy's forced off with 'nasty' injury in Newport County cup upset

Pompey are waiting to see the extent of Zak Swanson’s injury after he was forced off at Newport County.
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The Blues are hopeful the shin issue will not leave the Arsenal signing sidelined for too long, after being left on the receiving end of an early Adam Lewis challenge in the 3-2 Carabao Cup reverse.

Swanson attempted to soldier on but was withdrawn for Kieron Freeman after 33 minutes and was helped down the tunnel, before limping out of Rodney Parade.

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The early indications are the impact issue will not leave the right-back out of action for too long.

Cowley said: ‘It was literally in the first minute.

‘He took a nasty one, stud marks across the high part of the shin.

‘We’re disappointed to lose Zak, because the early change messed up our plans.

‘We were happy for Joe Rafferty to play 30 minutes but not beyond that because of his load.

Zak Swanson was forced off injured against Newport CountyZak Swanson was forced off injured against Newport County
Zak Swanson was forced off injured against Newport County

‘So that changed our plans slightly.’

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It proved a breathless cup battle at Rodney Parade, especially in the first 45 minutes as play switched from end to end.

Pompey should have made more of their chances, but the home side had the better of it after the restart as they progressed to the third.

Cowley felt his team got few favours from referee John Busby as they suffered their first defeat of the season.

He said: ‘I don’t know, I didn’t hear the referee blow his whistle all night.

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‘As a consequence the game ends up almost resembling rugby in the end.

‘Every time we countered they fouled and that made it very difficult.

‘I thought the referee could’ve had more control than he did.’

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