INJURY AGONY FOR TOM ENDS HIS SEASON
PORTSMOUTH’S big January signing Tom McIntyre has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
The 25-year-old joined the League One leaders in a £75,000 switch from divisional rivals Reading but was controversially sent off in the 54th minute of his debut last weekend for a challenge on Northampton’s Mitch Pinnock.
On Wednesday, the FA announced it had overturned the red card, saving McIntyre from a three-game ban.
However, scans subsequently revealed the centre-back had fractured his own ankle in the clash with Pinnock and will not now return until pre-season.
“We got the news from Tom’s scan that there was a fracture in the ankle and we’re looking at around 12-14 weeks for that,” said Pompey boss John Mousinho.
“It’s a tough one to take after only just signing
him and the fact he went into the challenge honestly, which showed from the red card being overturned.”
That news capped a miserable week on the injury front for Portsmouth, who confirmed that midfielders Joe Morrell, 27, and Terry Devlin, 20, will also miss the remainder of the campaign.
The pair went off injured during last month’s 2-2 draw with Oxford and are both set to go under the knife.
“With Joe, there was unfortunately a small piece of cartilage that chipped off his knee, so he’s in for surgery,” added Mousinho. “Terry’s shoulder injury is a lot worse than we originally thought and he’s also set for surgery after landing on it awkwardly.
“We’re again looking at three-plus months for his recovery, so that will again take us through to the end of the season.”