Danny Cowley explains Joe Morrell's Portsmouth absence and makes 'too many injuries' admission

The Blues boss said the midfielder hadn’t trained in the build-up to the trip to New Lawn because of a back complaint.

And despite being named on the bench for the League One game, Cowley knew the 25-year-old could not be called upon during the pre-match warm-up.

Pompey were already without the suspended Marlon Pack, Louis Thompson (fractured leg) and Tom Lowery (hamstring) for the trip to Gloucestershire.

That meant the Blues’ central midfield consisted of Ryan Tunnicliffe, who hadn’t started a league game since April, and Jay Mingi, who was making his full league debut for the club.

Both impressed as the Blues battled their way to victory.

But Morrell’s inability to come on for Mingi after he suffered cramp in the second half proved how much Cowley’s options are currently stretched in the middle of the park.

Confirming Morrell’s injury set-back to BBC Solent after the game, the Blues boss said: ‘Joe hasn’t trained

‘We thought he was going to be alright to be on the bench but we don’t have any other options.

‘He’s a good professional, will always put himself forward but when he warmed up he wasn’t right.

‘You probably saw that in the warm-up, so we’re a bit light at the minute.

‘We’ve got too many injuries.’

Central defender Michael Morrison replaced Mingi on 80 minutes, but it was left-back Connor Ogilvie who moved into the midfielder for the final 10 minutes at New Lawn.

Cowley will be keen to assess his engine room options ahead of Oxford United’s trip to Fratton Park on Tuesday night.