Portsmouth Boss Harry Redknapp’s plans for this season have received another setback as Jerome Thomas is set to be on the sidelines for at least the next three months.

Redknapp confirmed former Arsenal players Thomas’s injury, saying that the 25-year old has sustained a stress fracture in the base of his spine, which could leave him on the sidelines for 12 weeks

It is believed that Thomas sustained the injury before his debut match at Fratton Park for the South coast side against Manchester United.

Croatian International Niko Kranjcar is another Pompey player on the injury list. He has had to undergo the surgeons knife after damaging ankle ligaments, but could possibly make his return by the end of November.

This is a major cause of worry for Redknapp as injury to both players has limited his options on the left of midfield.

"Jerome is out for 12 weeks, which is another big blow for us," he told The News.

"We're not quite sure when it happened, probably the day before the Manchester United game in training.

"At the time, he complained a bit but wanted to play so much and passed a fitness test. He did well in that game, too.

"Now it looks as though he could need an operation to get it sorted, which is really disappointing for all of us.

"The lad gives you something different – he's got pace, can run at players and cause defences all sorts of problems.

"With Niko also out for quite a long time, it leaves us a bit short on the left there."