Significant Portsmouth player update emerges ahead of Southampton

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·1 October 2026

Significant Portsmouth player update emerges ahead of Southampton

Portsmouth are expected to be without defender Conor Shaughnessy for their trip to rivals Southampton, although his injury isn't as bad as feared.

Portsmouth defender Conor Shaughnessy is unlikely to be fit for the south coast derby at Southampton, although his injury isn’t as bad as the club first feared.

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It has been a mixed start to the campaign for Pompey, with John Mousinho’s side sitting 19th in the table, having picked up eight points from their first seven games.

However, they went into the international break unbeaten in three, although their last game, a 2-2 draw at home to Blackburn, came at a cost, with Shaughnessy going off injured in the second half after a groin issue.

Richard Hughes provides Conor Shaughnessy injury latest ahead of Portsmouth vs Southampton

The defender has featured regularly for Portsmouth this season, starting six of the seven games.

So, with Benjamin Arthur set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a back fracture, it would have been very problematic for Mousinho if Shaughnessy was out for a long time as well.

Yet, in a positive development, sporting director Richard Hughes confirmed to the Portsmouth News that the 30-year-old should return in the coming weeks, even if he is likely to miss the trip to Southampton on October 11.

“Shocks is fine. He’s been in through the first week, he has been recovering, he has been out on the grass. We are hopeful he will be back with the group in a not too long period of time. Probably not Southampton, but not too far after that. “He’s been having treatment, he has been through rehab, hopefully we’ll get him back as quickly as we can. This is slightly different to the issues he has faced in the past, so it will be nice to have him back with us when he is ready to do so.”

Portsmouth facing defensive issues ahead of south coast derby

As mentioned, Brentford loanee Arthur is not going to return until 2027, so Regan Poole and Madiodio Dia are the only two fit centre-backs at Fratton Park right now.

The duo finished the game against Rovers as the defensive pairing, and, if Shaughnessy doesn’t return, they are almost certain to be in the XI against Saints.

Mousinho will have faith in the players, but it does highlight the lack of depth Portsmouth have in such a key position, and it will raise questions regarding the summer transfer business, particularly as they loaned two centre-backs out.

But, that is why there will be relief that Shaughnessy has avoided a serious problem, and whilst they would love to have him involved for the trip to St. Mary’s Stadium, the reality is that Pompey are about to embark on a busy fixture list.

Portsmouth set to play eight games in under a month

The south coast derby will kick-off a period of eight games in 27 days for Mousinho’s side going into the November international break, so the boss will know that his squad is going to be tested.

Ultimately, this is what the Championship is all about, and it’s now down to the Portsmouth players who may have been on the fringes to take any opportunities that come their way, so the likes of Dia and Poole will be desperate to show what they can do considering they were both behind Shaughnessy and Arthur earlier in the season.

Of course, it won’t be easy against a talented Southampton side, but if they can help Portsmouth to a win over their bitter rivals, it will be a fantastic start to this hectic run of games.