Portsmouth trio Callum Lang, Nicolas Schmid and Adrian Segecic are all in contention to play Millwall on Saturday, John Mousinho has said.
Portsmouth have had a challenging campaign so far, but failed to turn the game as they had hoped after surviving in their first season back in the Championship.
Pompey are in 20th place and are winless in six games with four defeats in that series, also failing to score in four of those games. It puts the pressure on for this weekend’s return against play-off hopefuls Millwall.
A tough game awaits John Mousinho’s side, but the Pompey boss has confirmed three major injuries ahead of kick-off.
In conversation with BBC South reporter Andrew MoonPortsmouth’s head coach revealed that Callum Lang, Nicolas Schmid and Adrian Segecic are all fit to play. The trio are back in full training and are available for selection against the Lions.
Three big injury boosts for Portsmouth and a return to form is needed
Portsmouth’s poor form of late does not come down to just three absences, that should be made clear. It wasn’t good enough from the Fratton Park team all over the field.
However, Lang was an important source of goals in Pompey’s fight for survival last season. The hope will be that he can reach those levels again and solve the dilemma of who plays where behind the striker and offers his services as a winger or attacking midfielder.
Australian summer purchase Segecic was also a bright spark in the club’s summer recruitment. If he and Lang are fully fit again, the attack will breathe some life back into it.
As for goalkeeper Schmid, he has cemented himself as Portsmouth’s number one since joining the side. It is hoped that his comeback will bring stronger defensive performances.
Portsmouth stats by Nicholas Schmid
| Games | Clean sheets | Goals against |
| 41 | 12 | 51 |
Could immediate changes to Portsmouth’s starting lineup await?
To be on the safe side, there’s always a chance that Lang, Segecic or Schmid won’t be put back into the team straight away. Portsmouth boss Mousinho may be advised by medical and physiotherapy staff to allow the trio back in.
Of the three, however, it is most likely that Schmid will regain his place straight away. Joe Bursik has served as a good deputy, proving he can be a good cover and competitor, but the fit-again Austrian has been number one for good reason.
Lang and Segecic may face a tougher battle for their spots, especially since they can compete directly with each other. However, the recent battle surrounding the Pompey attack could lead to them being reintroduced sooner rather than later.
Given the series of three games in a week, Mousinho will probably be able to put his team to good use.
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