Ryan Kavuma-McQueen was a surprisingly absent when Pompey returned for the second half of Sunday’s derby against Southampton
Ryan Kavuma-McQueen’s half-time withdrawal during Pompey’s derby defeat to Southampton was tactical.
Blues boss John Mousinho admitted he brought the Chelsea loanee off at the halfway point of the game at St Mary’s for no other reason as he ruled out the possibility of another injury to one of his first-team players.
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The talented 17-year-old was named in the head coach’s starting line-up for the fifth time since his mid-August move to Fratton Park, with the south-coast derby also maintaining his 100-percent involvement in all of Pompey’s Championship fixtures to date.
The winger’s latest outing came off the back of his international commitments with England’s under-18s.
Yet Kavuma-McQueen appeared lively despite being away with the young Three Lions and was one of the Blues’ main attacking threats during a first half that ended with Southampton 1-0 up but reduced to 10 men following Cameron Bragg’s 44th-minute sending off.
The youngster was expected to come out for the second half as the Blues were presented with the opportunity to really make Southampton work to protect their lead.
However, Mousinho sprung a surprise during the interval by replacing Kavuma-McQueen with Adrian Segecic, who was asked to occupy the bench for the first time this season.
That was the first of five substitutions made by Pompey on the day as they tried desperately to find a way to test home keeper Daniel Peretz.
Fellow attackers Marko Milovanovic and Keshi Anderson were also brought on during the second half as the Blues attempted to make their extra man count.
Yet, the visitors were unable to find a breakthrough that would have allowed them to return to Fratton Park with a share of the spoils.
For some, the decision to bring Kavuma-McQueen was a big decision that backfired on the Blues.
Mousinho insisted, though, that he felt others, namely Segecic, were better equipped to make the most of Southampton being reduced to 10 men.
When asked about the substitution by BBC Solent, the Blues boss said: ‘(It was) just a tactical one. Ryan's done absolutely brilliantly for us.
‘I just thought at times there was a different opportunity, particularly when the space would open up near to the box for Seg.
‘No issue whatsoever, just one of those decisions.
‘Ryan's a very, very exciting young talent.’