John Mousinho believes Rob Atkinson can play in one of Pompey's vital Easter games. And Conor Shaughnessy may be ready to make an apperance over the Blues' final two games after that.

It has been a nightmare season for Pompey's central defenders, with five suffering injuries that have kept them out for significant timespans. And the headache has not abated with the end of the season in sight.

Atkinson made a sooner-than-expected return to the starting line-up on Saturday in the 2-2 draw with Derby - in which the Bristol City loanee scored two goals at the right end and one in his own net.

Mousinho has explained to The News how much can be expected from him now - after he ended the Derby game feeling tight calves and the effects of illness.

‘I think Rob can play once, I don’t think he can twice,' the head coach told The News. 'We spoke about Rob’s desire to play for the football club and how much that is appreciated. I didn’t quite realise how much that’s echoed and Rob appreciates what he’s got back from the club as well.

‘I’m pretty sure Rob will want to go twice this weekend, but we have to be pretty smart about it because there’s still two games to go after this weekend. As much as we probably did risk him last Saturday, there is still a young footballer in there to protect.’

Pompey are of course having to keep the defender's parent club inforned about his situation and Mousinho added: ‘We have a really good relationship with Bristol City, that’s whether it’s the coaching staff or Brian (Tinnion) the sporting director.

‘I think there’s a really healthy relationship after what we did in January and trying to help their player. There’s certainly no fingers pointed. I think they know we’ve taken a risk, but we’re trying to be responsible with it. The more that Rob plays as well, the better that is for Bristol City.’

Meanwhile Mousinho has outlined when we may see Shaughnessy back on the field. He told the press on Tuesday: 'We’re probably at Sheffield Wednesday with Shocks. Again, he’s come back well but he’s only had two training sessions so I don’t think it’s fair for Conor.

'Conor’s got a different injury record this season to most, as well having hardly featured and having picked up soft tissue injuries. With Shocks, I don’t think we’ll see him until Sheffield Wednesday and even then it will be for a short period of time - maybe 10-15 minutes.’

Callum Lang is the other injured star that Pompey fans are desperate to see again before the season is out, believing he could help get them over the line and safe from relegation. Certainly the ex-Wigan attacker has been missed since he was crocked at Oxford.

Mousinho told The News: 'He’s been training now for the past couple of days, but is a bit further behind Shaughs and Rob. I think Langy was originally a 12-week injury which we’re now 10 weeks into now.

‘The other issue we have with Langy, though, is he’s all-action and 100 per cent all of the time. ‘That’s compared to centre-backs, speaking from experience, who can turn up sometimes and work their way through games.

‘I don’t think Callum has the ability to do that, in fact I know he hasn’t, so we have to be a bit more careful with him. So we’ll see where he is, probably at the back end of next week, but I’m very doubtful we’ll see him again this season. It’s not entirely out of the question, but I’m 99.9 per cent sure.’

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