Danny Cowley lifts lid on ex-Wolves and Derby man's shock Portsmouth return after fearing the worst

And Danny Cowley has lifted the lid on the midfielder’s shock first-team inclusion in Tuesday night’s Hampshire Senior Cup fixture.

In the aftermath of last weekend’s frustrating 1-1 draw with Fleetwood, the Blues boss revealed how he opted not to use Jacobs from the bench over injury concerns.

The 30-year-old complained of a tight hamstring while warming-up ahead of kick-off before the Fratton Park clash.

However, days later, the ex-Wigan man was named in Pompey’s starting XI against Southampton B.

According to Cowley, Jacobs’ ongoing availability is hampered by a condition called Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS).

And the Blues are still coming to terms with the extent of the frustrating issue.

Cowley told The News: ‘With Michael, it is down to some DOMS.

‘When he has an injury and doesn’t play, then comes back and into a match, he suffers this muscle soreness which can last anywhere between 48-72 hours with him.

‘Once he gets into a rhythm of games, he seems to be able to recover much quicker. Thankfully it was better on Monday so he trained – then played 82 minutes on Tuesday night.

‘It is called Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, a number of players suffer from this, but when Michael’s not in a rhythm of games he seems to suffer more.

‘You are never quite sure whether it’s a strain or DOMS, we are trying to distinguish between muscle soreness and a strain.

‘Sometimes even with experienced players it’s hard for them to distinguish between the two.’

Jacobs has only recently returned following a groin problem which flared up while warming-up ahead of last month’s visit of Peterborough.

He has since appeared from the bench against Ipswich, while started the Papa John’s 5-0 demolition of Aston Villa Under-21s in which he netted in a man-of-the-match display.

Then, on Tuesday night, he registered in the 5-2 south-coast derby triumph – and Cowley insists Jacobs is in the frame for Charlton on Monday night (8pm).

He added: ‘He was fine on Tuesday. He has now gone Tuesday-Tuesday and started to get some rhythm, which is important to him.

‘We gave him 68 minutes against Villa and then 82 minutes against Southampton. As we don’t play Charlton until Monday, he’s had longer to recover.

‘So Michael should be available for that match.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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