Portsmouth injury blow gives Southampton major edge ahead of South Coast derby

We are now 11 days away from Southampton's Championship season recommencing after the longer-than-usual international break.

Amazingly, despite being nearly a week now away from the second tier kicking back into gear, Tonda Eckert's individual punishment for Spygate still remains up in the air, as radio silence continues to engulf proceedings.

When the season does get back underway, the Saints have a humdinger of a clash to look forward to against their bitter rivals, Portsmouth, at St. Mary's, with the occasion of the South Coast Derby often hot-headed and fierce.

Last season, two draws were played out, so Eckert would love to pick up his first ever win against Pompey, if he's still situated in the Saints dug-out for the hotly anticipated showdown.

Southampton will be boosted in their confidence, too, by the news coming out of Fratton Park that a key first-team defender for John Mousinho's away side could be ruled out of the midday clash...

Pompey's injury issue

It is being reported that Portsmouth first team stalwart Conor Shaughnessy could well be out of the South Coast Derby later in the month due to injury.

The News is reporting that the Irishman's ongoing groin injury will likely keep him out of the clash against Eckert and Co, which will be a concerning development for Pompey fans travelling to St. Mary's.

Indeed, the number six has been a mainstay of the Championship side's backline, ever since making a move from Burton Albion in 2023, with the 30-year-old even scoring this season during a comfortable 2-0 victory over Cardiff City.

But, he will not be present for Pompey's biggest game of the season so far, which is a blow for Mousinho's men, but a welcome bit of news for Southampton to cling onto as they try to clinch a win against their arch nemesis with any slight advantage they can get their hands on.

Shaughnessy's potential absence might result in Madiodio Dia having to start for the away side, instead, with the inexperienced 22-year-old yet to keep a clean sheet this season.

With the Saints' free-flowing goalscoring form on their own patch this campaign well-known, with 15 goals scored on home soil in the Championship, this is an unwelcome development for Pompey.

But, for the St. Mary's masses, they will be licking their lips at the prospect of their beloved side hammering the visitors, as they scramble to make up defensive numbers.

However, heading into this savage contest, the Saints might not be at full-strength themselves...

Southampton have some potential issues of their own

Indeed, it will be race against the clock for Southampton to have Cyle Larin available for this match-up.

Canada's last international match against the USA falls on the 7th of October, just four days before Championship action gets back underway.

Surely, Eckert and Co. can intervene to make sure Larin is fit and firing for the South Coast Derby, with his seven Championship goals for the season so far giving the Pompey defenders nightmares in the build-up.

Moreover, will Leo Scienza be fully fit for the showdown on the 11th?

The spellbinding Brazilian had to be taken off during Southampton's 2-1 defeat away at Wrexham, due to injury, just before the break, but hopefully this was nothing more than a precautionary measure, with the three week break giving him time to get back up to speed.

He could also disorientate a makeshift Pompey defence for fun if he starts, with Scienza silencing the Fratton Park faithful last season during a 1-1 draw with a wonderfully taken solo effort.

It should be a fascinating match to take in, with so much to focus in on when it comes to the pre-match narrative, as Eckert remains in limbo over his immediate position in the dug-out, while Portsmouth have a worrying injury issue bugging them.

For the Saints' sake, they'll hope, when it comes to matters on the pitch, they can secure a South Coast Derby victory.

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