John Mousinho neatly summed up the importance of Pompey's Fratton clash with Middlesbrough when he admitted the outcome of the game would govern how successful Pompey's first two months of the season had been.

The Blues could nove into the top half if they register a third win of the season - but will be rather too close to the bottom group for comfort if they lose, such is the closeness of the league table.

And with a fortnight off after this week for yet another international break, it would be the ideal time to nab another three points - tough though that may prove against the early season pacesetters.

Mousinho told the club media: 'We’re one good result from going into this break saying it’s been a really strong start to the season. Draw at the weekend and we’d probably be feeling that it’s just okay, while a defeat would mean we’re pretty disappointed.

'But I remember that this time last year we were coming off the back of that 6-1 defeat at Stoke and there’s been clear progress since then. We’re performing okay and there haven’t been many bad performances. There are shoots of what we’re trying to do, although more is needed to really kick on.

'Middlesbrough are the best team in the league and deserve to be top. We’ve watched them a few times and seen how impressive they’ve been. They’re very solid and also play good football going forward, so it’s a big challenge for us to stop that firepower and also break them down at the other end.'

The boss suggested Josh Murphy was not quite ready to return to the fray in a week when the winger signed a new contract to the delight of all at Fratton.

Mousinho said: 'It’s a frustrating one and we won’t risk anything with him. We just take it day by day and will have to see. It’s not a serious issue – just a niggly thing. He’s been out on the grass a few times and the ankle hasn’t quite felt right.'

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