Portsmouth's Lang and Murphy still 'weeks' away

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has confirmed that attacking pair Callum Lang and Josh Murphy will not return to action until February.

Forward Lang is likely to be out for another four weeks after picking up a second hamstring injury this season following their 1-1 draw with QPR on Boxing Day.

The 27-year-old has already had surgery in August after coming off against Norwich City, and has managed eight appearances all season.

Winger Josh Murphy could miss another three or four weeks due to what Mousinho has described as "a number of different ailments", and the club are being cautious.

"Its a tough one for Langy," Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent. "The way he plays and the way he goes about his business, he's always going to be susceptible to muscle injuries and I don't think there's any way we're going to be able to curb that.

"We felt that he was very strong going into these games, and he proved that by completing significant minutes in the build-up, but its one of those things that hasn't held up."

Pompey are 21st in the Championship, just one point clear of the relegation places.

They have already lost winger Yang Min-hyeok in this Janaury transfer window as the 19-year-old was recalled by Spurs and joined Championshp leaders Coventry City on loan.

Meanwhile, midfielder Mark Kosznovszky has been ruled out of the rest of the season with a knee injury.

The 23-year-old Hungarian was injured in their dramatic 2-1 win over Charlton on 29 December.

He has torn both his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and his medial collateral ligament (MCL).

Defender Hayden Matthews is out for at least eight weeks after sustaining an ankle injury against Bristol City.

The positives are midfielder Marlon Pack is fit again for Sunday's FA Cup third round tie at home to Premier League leaders Arsenal, while left-back Connor Ogilvie could return against Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship on 17 January.