Portsmouth are having to cope with a number of injuries this weekend with eight players set to miss Sunday’s clash with Leeds United – but the hosts have just been given a timely boost.
Young striker Tom Waddingham may be fit to face the Whites, having initially been a doubt due to a groin problem. The striker, 19, arrived from Australian outfit Brisbane Roar in January and scored on debut in a 5-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.
The attacker has missed the last five games due to his groin issue, but Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has suggested he could feature against United this weekend in what would only be his third appearance for the club.
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“Tom should be fit for the weekend if not next week. It’s just a little groin strain,” Mousinho said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon. However, right-back Jordan Williams has been ruled out of the contest due to a hamstring setback.
Pompey have a score of other players out of action too. Star forward Callum Lang, Portsmouth’s top scorer with 10 goals, is out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.
Hayden Matthews also misses the rest of the campaign with an ankle issue while Ibane Bowat, Jacob Farrell and Paddy Lane join him with knee injuries. Former Leeds defender Conor Shaughnessy is out for the time being with a hamstring setback while Bristol City loanee Rob Atkinson is still suffering from a calf problem.
Meanwhile, Daniel Farke is due to give the latest United injury news in Friday’s press conference. Ethan Ampadu is due to be out for a number of weeks with a knee injury while Max Wober is not expected back until late March at the earliest following knee surgery.
Farke is refraining from putting a timescale on Patrick Bamford’s return, the striker having been out since January with a hamstring issue. He was initially given a return time of late January to early February, but – as of last week – had not yet returned to team training.
“He’s not back in team training. I’m struggling to give you a timeframe,” Farke said ahead of West Brom, having initially hoped Bamford would have been back with the group after the Sheffield United match.
“He still has a little bit of awareness in his hamstring. He’s doing a lot of individual training and building up his fitness levels and working hard with the rehab coaches.
“I don’t want to put additional weight on his shoulders – it lasts how long it lasts.” Farke could give an update on Bamford’s progress on Friday afternoon.
