Portsmouth concerns over injured first-team pair ahead of Lincoln trip

The duo missed Tuesday night’s dramatic 1-0 victory over Burton after failing late fitness tests.

According to John Mousinho, Pack has an ongoing knee problem, while defender Bernard is struggling with a muscle injury.

In their absence, Louis Thompson was handed a first Fratton Park start since August, while Joe Rafferty featured for the first time in five-and-a-half months.

While Josh Oluwayemi continued to deputise for goalkeeper Matt Macey, who remains absent through illness.

The Blues head to Lincoln on Saturday – yet Mousinho is unsure whether either Pack or Bernard will be available.

He told The News: ‘Both had late fitness tests, they were in the side on Monday.

‘It’s nothing too serious and we will reassess how they are on Thursday. On the other side of that, a special mention to Joe Rafferty and Louis Thompson who came into the side.

‘They knew at 4.30pm on Tuesday alongside Josh (Oluwayemi). Josh wasn’t quite sure because Matt (Macey) was still touch and go and that’s credit to their professionalism. they got their heads down.

‘Di’Shon has a little muscle injury and Marlon has an old knee problem which needs managing. It’s nothing serious, but they need managing over the next 48-72 hours.

‘I wouldn't rule them out of Saturday, but maybe. We have to see. If they weren’t close to it, we wouldn’t have put them through any fitness test.

‘They are close to it, but obviously in all League One games you need players firing and as close to 100 per cent as we can possibly get because these are tough, tough games and you need everyone at it.’

For Thompson, it was his second outing since breaking his leg, having returned at Peterborough last month.

While Rafferty underwent two groin operations during his time on the sidelines since September, a period the former Preston man has described as the toughest of his life.

Mousinho added: ‘They trained hard and prepared properly, they’ve done everything right and have gone in and all three produced excellent performances.

‘Josh kept us in the game, with Joe you wouldn't have thought he had been out for any period of time, he just fitted straight back into the side.

‘I was really encouraged by Louis. The only reason we brought him off was because he did 60 minutes at Peterborough, then 70 minutes on Tuesday, and we wanted to protect him after that broken leg and make sure he’s eased back into it.’