Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has provided an update on Rob Atkinson, admitting there are some “positive signs” around the Bristol City loanee after he was forced off in Pompey’s win over QPR.
Atkinson was one of three senior players to depart Ashton Gate on loan during the January transfer window, alongside Kal Naismith and Fally Mayulu. Having not played for the Robins in almost two years following an ACL injury, the decision was taken to allow the defender to head to Fratton Park for the remainder of the season to build his match fitness and help him grow confidence in his body.
So far, the loan move has had the desired result. Atkinson has made nine Championship appearances, the most recent of which came on Saturday, and helped Portsmouth move away from the relegation zone. However, just 39 minutes into Pompey’s 2-1 win over QPR last weekend, the 26-year-old was replaced by Regan Poole.
Although Mousinho felt it was positive that the centre-back didn’t require immediate treatment, he did admit it was too early to know the exact extent of the injury immediately after the full-time whistle.
“It’s one of those where Rob didn’t go down and need treatment straight away, so there are some positive signs there” the Portsmouth manager told The News after his side’s win at Fratton Park. “But you don’t know with some of these.
“We’ve had a couple of muscular injuries and one which springs to mind was Jordan Williams at Plymouth. He didn’t go down, but just felt his hamstring a bit and ended up being out for six to eight weeks. I hope it’s not as bad as that for Rob. We don’t know, we’ll see how it settles down this weekend and we’ll go from there.
“He’s as frustrated as us that it happened on Saturday of all days and not one of those where we’re asking him to play Saturday and Tuesday.”
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Portsmouth, who have won each of their last three Championship matches, currently sit 17th in the table and nine points clear of Plymouth Argyle who occupy the final spot in the relegation zone.
Mousinho’s side are next in action on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Kenilworth Road to face Matt Bloomfield’s Luton Town. The Hatters are rooted to the bottom of the Championship at this moment in time and a defeat to Pompey at the weekend could see the gap to safety stretched to eight points.
Whether or not Atkinson will be fit to feature remains to be seen. Given his recent injury record, it would be a surprise to see the 26-year-old thrown back into the fold unless there was no risk of further aggravating the issue.