Portsmouth have had to make do without regular first-team player Michael Jacobs over the last week, with the midfielder last featuring for the side in their game against Doncaster.
The side though may have had to play without the midfielder against Crewe at the weekend had the game gone ahead. The clash itself was postponed - but they look likely to still be without Jacobs for their next fixture against Shrewsbury in midweek.
That's because Danny Cowley has revealed to The News that the player has hurt his knee - but he is hopeful that the setback will be 'short-term rather than long-term.'
That is because the 30-year-old has been instrumental for Pompey this year. In just 15 League One outings for the club, he has managed five goals and two assists - and has established himself as one of their best players in the centre of the park.
Having also played at left midfield and also slightly more attacking at left wing, he is also versatile - and with the play-off places just above them in the division, it will be a blow to have to spend any time without Jacobs in the squad.
Pompey boss Cowley though has stated that it will only see the player miss 'weeks rather than months' which will be music to the ears of supporters. In the meantime though, the side will have to find an ample replacement for a man who has come to be increasingly crucial to the Fratton Park outfit picking up results.
Speaking to The News about his injury, Cowley said: "We are hopeful it is going to be short-term rather than long-term. It’ll be weeks rather than months but there’s lots of inflammation around the knee at the moment, but we hope weeks rather than months.