Josh Murphy and Conor Shaughnessy need to prove they’re 100 percent before John Mousinho decides whether they’re in contention to face Burnley on Saturday

John Mousinho will leave it late before making a selection call on Josh Murphy and Conor Shaughnessy ahead of Saturday’s trip to Burnley.

Both players have returned to full training after being previously earmarked for potential returns at Turf Moor.

However, Mousinho is keen to ensure the duo are 100 percent before asking them to travel to the north west.

Both were involved in pre-match preparations on Wednesday, but the head coach wants to see how they recover from that session before making up his mind.

‘They're both good,’ said Mousinho during his press conference for the Burnley game.

‘They both trained this week with Murph, similar to last week, he trained on the Wednesday in the build-up to the Millwall game.

‘He didn't feel 100 percent Thursday, Friday, so we didn't want to risk him (against Alex Neil’s side). We'll see how he settles down after the game today (Wednesday).

‘This is Shaughs’ first full week back in training, so we'll see how Shaughs settles down.

‘He did train towards the back end of last week, but we didn't do a huge amount on the Friday, and he hadn't trained on the Wednesday.

‘So if they settle down and they come through today's session with... not just they come through today's session fine, but in terms of the recovery, to see how they are on Thursday and Friday, then we'll make a decision on them.’

Murphy has been limited to just two substitute appearances this season, both of which came back in August, because of a troublesome groin issue that required surgery.

Those two brief appearances against Lincoln and QPR respectively represent the 31-year-old’s only game time for the Blues in 2026 to date, after the winger missed the second half of last term with a foot injury.

Shaughnessy’s availability record doesn’t make for much better reading, after he also suffered an injury-plagued season last term that restricted him to 19 Championship appearances.

So far, he’s made six appearances in the league for Pompey. However, the defender has been forced to sit out the past five matches after picking up a groin injury in the draw against Blackburn Rovers before the international break.

In his and Benjy Arthur’s absence, Regan Poole and Jojo Dia have formed a formidable central defensive partnership that has allowed the Blues to pick up 10 points from their past four games.

Chelsea loanee Ryan Kavuma-McQueen has impressed in Murphy’s prolonged absence down the left wing, with the teenager establishing himself as a form Fratton favourite following his move at the end of August.

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