JOHN Mousinho defended Sammy Silvera after Portsmouth's fans turned on the struggling Middlesbrough loanee and chanted for him to be "sent back" to the Riverside.

Silvera joined Pompey on a season-long loan in the summer but has endured a difficult spell at Fratton Park so far.

He didn't feature at all for seven straight games before being brought back into Mousinho's side for the weekend defeat at Bristol City, where he made his first Championship start since the end of September.

But it didn't go to plan for Silvera and, with Portsmouth 3-0 down, the away fans turned on the winger and chanted 'send him back, send him back', early in the second half.

The Australian international was replaced less than 10 minutes later and, according to Portsmouth News, headed straight to the dressing room.

Mousinho said: "I hear the support the fans give us. For any individuals that copped it at Bristol City, I think that’s pretty unfair [on Silvera]. You can look at the whole XI and be critical of them all.

"Do you know what, I actually thought that Sammy had some really sharp moments in the first half, although I will have to have a look at the game and go over it.

"You always naturally look at the changes that we make and off the back of a really good performance on Boxing Day, sometimes you can point the finger of blame.’

"Rather than speaking in the heat of the moment, I will watch the game back and then see what I think after that."

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Mousinho was delighted to land Silvera in the summer having previously chased the winger before he signed for Boro in the summer of 2023.

Despite his struggles, Portsmouth's boss said earlier this month he still expects the winger to see out the season at Fratton Park.

He said: "We have faith that Sammy will click into gear and he obviously needs to work hard on things.

"He has been out of the side through various issues here and there, sometimes injuries, sometimes form. There is an absolute minimum that we can rely on him to understand the press, we can rely on him to work out of possession and, ultimately, the big reason we brought Sammy in is for his quality.

"If he can give us a bit more in terms of assists and goals, then he gives himself a chance."