League-leaders Portsmouth suffer a dint to their SkyBet League One promotion push, as three players are ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury
The club confirmed on Twitter/X that midfielders Joe Morrell and Terry Devlin, as well as defender Tom McIntyre will miss the remainder of the season.
Joe Morrell
Portsmouth confirmed Joe Morrell suffered a knee injury during their 2-2 draw with Oxford United at the end of January.
The Welshman has played 27 league games for Pompey this season, with over 100 appearances in the Portsmouth blue during his time there.
He signed from Luton Town in 2021, having previously played for Bristol City and spending loan spells at Cheltenham Town, Lincoln City and Sutton United. He has been an ever-present for Portsmouth in the centre of midfield since his arrival.
Terry Devlin
Attacking midfielder Terry Devlin was also injured in Pompey’s draw with Oxford, injuring his shoulder.
The former Northern Ireland under-21s international has featured 24 times for John Mousinho’s side this season, contributing two goals and two assists.
He joined Portsmouth in the summer after an impressive season at Northern Irish outfit Glentoran.
Tom McIntyre
Tom McIntyre’s ankle fracture has ruled him out for the rest of this campaign too.
He has played only one game for his new club, joining from fellow League One side Reading on January 30.
The versatile Scot was sent off in his Portsmouth debut, but that red card has been overturned on review. It will be little consolation for Pompey, as they are set to be without him for the rest of the 2023/24 season.
Writer’s View – What does it mean for Pompey’s promotion push?
Losing new signing Tom McIntyre and the ever-important Joe Morrell will be especially difficult for Portsmouth.
They did sit top of the League One table, but with Derby, Peterborough, Bolton and Barnsley all breathing down their neck, this triple injury set-back may shift the direction of the title race.
John Mousinho has a good squad at his disposal, so if there is any team in the division capable of overcoming these fresh set-backs, it’s Pompey.