Aji Alese was one of seven signings made by Pompey during the January transfer window
Pompey have suffered yet another major injury blow.
Already reeling from a injury list that has hit double figures, the Blues have confirmed that on-loan defender Aji Alese has joined the Fratton Park club’s walking wounded - alongside Conor Chaplin.
Both players sat out Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Sheffield United, a loss that sees John Mousinho’s side drop to 21st in the Championship table and just one point above the relegation zone.
And while Chaplin could be out for between 10 and 14 days with a groin problem, the news is a lot more tougher to take when it comes to Alese.
Indeed, Mousinho has confirmed that the centre-back is likely out for the season after he tore his groin after coming off the bench against Preston North End last weekend on his Pompey debut.
The 25-year-old, who hadn’t featured for parent club Sunderland in more than a year because of a shoulder injury, picked up the issue after coming on in the 85th minute at Deepdale.
It means that’s the only action he’ll likely have in a Pompey shirt, adding to the hard-luck stories the Blues have accumulated on the injury front this season.
Indeed, Alese’s groin problem means he’s one of four centre-backs currently sidelined, joining Conor Shaughnessy, Hayden Matthews and Josh Knight on the injured list. Meanwhle, he’s the third player in the space of six weeks who has been ruled out for the season, with Franco Umeh and Mark Kosznovszky not expected back until the summer.
Speaking after the defeat to Sheffield United, Mousinho said: ‘ Aji, unfortunately, tore his groin in the game last week against Preston, so he’s most likely out for the rest of the season.
‘I guess were were aware with the risk with Aji having not played for a while. We were wiling to take that on, but unfortunately it didn’t work out, he did it pretty early on when he came on against Preston.’
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