Portsmouth suffers a defensive setback as John Mousinho is forced to make changes against Blackburn.

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has been forced into three changes for the Championship meeting with Blackburn Rovers at Fratton Park, with injuries affecting his selection ahead of the afternoon clash.

The biggest concern for Pompey is once again the absence of Marko Milovanovic, who has been ruled out through injury. With the striker not considered fit enough to take the risk, Tyrese Shade has been handed the responsibility of leading the attacking line against Blackburn.

Shade has already featured twice for Portsmouth since completing his deadline-day move from Burton Albion in a deal worth £1.8 million. On both occasions, however, the new signing has operated from the left wing.

His latest assignment represents a change in role, with Mousinho moving him into the centre-forward position because of Milovanovic’s calf problem.

Milovanovic misses out again

Portsmouth had hoped that Milovanovic would recover sufficiently to be involved, but the club have opted not to take any unnecessary chances with the forward.

The decision means the striker misses another match, leaving Mousinho to adjust his attacking options for the visit of Blackburn.

Rather than risk aggravating the calf injury, Pompey have decided that Milovanovic should sit this one out.

Shade therefore gets the nod at the top of the attack, giving the former Burton player an opportunity to make an impact in a different position.

The switch also means Colby Bishop has been left out of the starting XI and will begin the match among the substitutes.

Bishop’s omission comes during a difficult spell in front of goal. The Portsmouth forward has managed only three goals across his last 50 Championship appearances for the club, and Mousinho has opted for a different attacking combination against Blackburn.

Three changes made by Mousinho

Milovanovic’s absence is not the only alteration to the Portsmouth side.

Mousinho has made three changes from the team that secured a goalless draw away at Charlton in their previous Championship fixture.

Alongside Bishop, Terry Devlin and Benjy Arthur have also dropped out of the starting XI.

Zak Swanson has been brought into the team at right-back to replace Devlin, who remains involved by taking his place among the substitutes.

There is also a change in the centre of defence, with Madiodio Dia selected alongside Conor Shaughnessy.

The defensive adjustment comes after Arthur was left out of the 20-man matchday squad altogether.

His absence appears to be injury-related, although Portsmouth have not provided further details in the team news.

Arthur has impressed since becoming involved with the squad, making his omission another concern for Mousinho as Portsmouth prepare to face Blackburn.

Kavuma-McQueen recalled

Ryan Kavuma-McQueen also returns to the starting XI after being recalled for the Blackburn fixture.

His inclusion completes the three changes made by Mousinho following the draw at Charlton.

The Portsmouth manager will hope the alterations can help his side produce a stronger attacking display while maintaining defensive stability against a Blackburn team that arrives at Fratton Park looking to take points away from the south coast.

With several players unavailable or moved to the bench, Mousinho has had to make adjustments across different areas of his team.

Strong squad on the bench

Despite the changes, Portsmouth still have several experienced options available among the substitutes.

Owen Kenny has returned to the matchday squad and is included on the bench.

He is joined by Devlin and Bishop, giving Mousinho alternatives in both defence and attack if the match requires changes later in the afternoon.

Regan Poole and Ebou Adams are also available, providing further experience and flexibility.

Swift, Bailey and Mohamed complete the substitutes alongside Schmid.

The depth available on the bench could prove important, particularly if Portsmouth encounter further injury problems during the contest.

Blackburn make one alteration

Blackburn have also made a change to their team, although Rovers have been forced into just one switch.

Former Portsmouth loanee Hayden Carter is included in the Blackburn line-up, meaning he will face his former club at Fratton Park.

The only change to the visitors’ starting side sees Harry Pickering come into the team for Yuri Ribeiro, who misses out through injury.

Blackburn will therefore hope their relatively settled line-up can give them an advantage against a Portsmouth side forced to shuffle their pack.

Portsmouth starting XI confirmed

Mousinho has selected Bielica in goal, with Swanson, Dia, Shaughnessy and Meghoma forming the defensive unit.

Pack and Shein provide the midfield base, while Kamara, Segecic and Kavuma-McQueen operate further forward behind Shade.

The decision to use Shade centrally is one of the most notable changes, particularly because his previous Portsmouth appearances have come from the left side.

With Milovanovic unavailable and Bishop beginning on the bench, the new signing now has the opportunity to demonstrate that he can provide a solution through the middle.

Portsmouth will hope his pace and attacking movement can create problems for the Blackburn defence.

Injury concerns add pressure

Milovanovic’s continued absence is particularly significant because Portsmouth have chosen not to risk him with his calf issue.

Arthur’s omission from the matchday squad also leaves Mousinho with another defensive concern.

The manager will therefore be hoping that the players selected can stay fit throughout the contest while maintaining the organisation required to deal with Blackburn’s attacking threat.

The goalless draw at Charlton provided Portsmouth with a point, but Mousinho will want his side to be more effective in front of goal at Fratton Park.

Bishop’s omission means much of the responsibility for creating and converting opportunities could fall on the players around Shade.

Pompey team to face Blackburn

Portsmouth’s starting XI for the Championship clash is:

Bielica, Swanson, Dia, Shaughnessy, Meghoma, Pack, Shein, Kamara, Segecic, Kavuma-McQueen, Shade.

The substitutes are:

Schmid, Devlin, Bishop, Poole, Swift, Bailey, Kenny, Mohamed and Adams.

With Milovanovic unavailable and Arthur missing from the squad, Mousinho has been forced to make significant adjustments.

The manager will now hope the reshaped Portsmouth side can deliver a positive result against Blackburn and turn Fratton Park into a source of points once again.

For Shade, meanwhile, the match represents an opportunity to make his mark in an unfamiliar central role and give Mousinho another attacking option while Milovanovic works his way back to fitness.