Portsmouth: More Concerns For Tony Adams as Injuries Hit Midfield

Portsmouth boss Tony Adams has been dealt even more bad news following his team's defeat to Arsenal yesterday. Midfielders Richard Hughes and Papa Bouba Diop are set for what may be lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Both players had a decent game against Arsenal, with Papa Bouba Diop playing particularly well against the Gunners. It was a tackle late in the match from Denilson that ended with the Senegalese midfielder being stretchered off.

Fellow midfielder Hughes had to be substituted earlier in the second half for what first appeared to be a hamstring concern. In an interview with the Portsmouth News, however, Adams confirmed that it was a groin problem.

Diop's injury, however, may be far worse, with it appearing that the player has damaged his medial ligaments.

Hughes will probably be out for several weeks, while Diop's spell on the sidelines could possibly be for months.

Adams told The News that he'll simply have "to get on with it" when it comes to the injured two, but the injuries will definitely be some cause for concern for Portsmouth supporters and their gaffer.

With Adams already feeling the pressure on his job, this has only made things worse.

Without previously injured and now sold midfielder Lassana Diarra, Pompey's midfield hasn't been particularly strong this year.

Sean Davis, Hughes, and Diop had been vying for turns in the center and right of midfield as long-term injuries to Diarra had prevented him from featuring almost since Harry Redknapp's departure.

Attacking midfielder Niko Kranjcar has also spent most of this season on the sidelines, and John Utaka—also currently injured—has failed to make any impact.

With Hughes and Diop out, it will leave Davis, Kranjcar, Armand Traore, Glen Little, and Arnold Mvuemba as Pompey's only fit first-team midfielders.

The five midfielders are all going to have to step-up if Portsmouth want to keep themselves in mid-table, but it is hoped that Portsmouth will be shopping around for midfielders in the transfer window.

Davis has been putting in some strong performances as of late, but both he and Arnold Mvuemba have only really been squad players in the side.

A replacement for Diarra will certainly be looked for and is absolutely crucial, as Pompey simply don't have a midfielder currently in the squad to fill his role.

The transfer window is going to be crucial for Adams, as he hopes to repair and patch-up what is certainly a make-shift midfield.