Murphy is 'trying to hit his heights' - Mousinho

John Mousinho has praised Pompey wide-man Josh Murphy who he says is striving to live up to his potential.

Murphy, who turned 30 last month, was nominated for February's Championship player of the month award after scoring one goal and assisting four more in a month which saw the Blues take 10 points from five tough Championship fixtures.

A former England under-20 international, Murphy came through the ranks at Norwich City and played in the Premier League for the Canaries and later Cardiff, but after a loan spell at Preston, dropped down to League One for the first time in his career to join Oxford United in 2022.

Pompey boss Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent the recognition was: "Down to Josh himself and how well he's turned around that period of his career where he didn't have as much success as he'd have liked.

"He really knuckled down, by the time Oxford signed him it was later in pre-season, he was on a free, there was nobody that really fancied him, so it was completely down to what Josh did in that two-years to put himself in the shop window and have a fantastic back end of last season."

Murphy moved to Fratton Park on a free transfer after the U's joined Pompey in earning promotion last season. He ranks joint-third overall in the Championship for assists with nine, along with his six goals in 31 appearances.

"The most pleasing thing for me is that Josh didn't just produce what he did from February onwards for Oxford and then get a contract here and rest up," Mousinho added.

"It's really fuelled him to go again and to make sure he hits the heights he can hit.

"Fair play to him, he's physically in probably the best shape of his career and it's all paying off for him at the moment, so I'm really pleased for him."