Charlton Athletic have received a significant boost ahead of their crucial Championship encounter with Portsmouth on Monday night, with Pompey set to be without influential winger Josh Murphy.
Portsmouth's Key Absence for Charlton Athletic Visit
The Addicks, who fell to a 1-0 defeat away at Norwich City on Boxing Day, will face a Portsmouth side missing one of their chief creators. Murphy, 30, sat out Portsmouth's 1-1 draw with Queens Park Rangers and has been ruled out of the upcoming fixture due to a hamstring issue.
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho confirmed the news, stating the player was "touch and go" but is now expected to be sidelined for one to two weeks. Murphy's absence is a major blow for Pompey, given he has provided four assists in his last seven league appearances. The former Premier League star's creativity will be missed as his team, sitting five points behind 18th-placed Charlton, seeks a vital win.
In a potential piece of good news for the home side, defender Conor Shaughnessy could make his return after a three-month absence with his own hamstring problem. Charlton boss Nathan Jones, who served a suspension during the Norwich loss, will be back in the dugout at Fratton Park.
Neil's Verdict on Millwall's Controversial Offside
Elsewhere in the Championship, Millwall manager Alex Neil gave his reaction to a late offside call that denied his side all three points against promotion-chasing Ipswich Town. The Lions played out a disciplined 0-0 draw at The Den on Boxing Day.
The match's major talking point came when Camiel Neghli thought he had scored a dramatic winner, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. Neil offered a pragmatic assessment of the tight decision after the final whistle.
"He was probably half a step offside when it happens," the Millwall head coach admitted. Despite the disappointment, Neil was pleased with his team's organised display against a strong Ipswich side, highlighting several good chances created in the first half.
Championship Standings and Implications
The results leave the Championship table intriguingly poised. Charlton Athletic's meeting with Portsmouth represents a key six-pointer near the bottom of the division. A victory for Jones's men would open an eight-point gap over their rivals, while a win for Pompey would close the deficit to just two points.
For Millwall, the hard-earned point against a top side provides a platform for confidence, though the fine margins of the offside decision will linger as a reminder of what might have been.
