Pompey hope to begin the New Year better than they finished 2023 as they host Stevenage at Fratton Park. The Blues are winless in three games and last time out they could only draw 0-0 with the out-of-form Exeter City at St James Park.
John Mousinho's side remain top of the table but with a defeat to Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day sandwiched in between draws with Exeter and Fleetwood Town, there will be a burning desire to get back to winning ways. Monday's opponents Stevenage had their game against Cambridge United postponed at the last minute with the home side's floodlights failing on them which resulted in a late postponement. In their last match, Stevenage won 3-0 against Northampton Town, with goals coming from Jamie Reid, Jordan Roberts and Elliott List.
In the earlier meeting between the two sides this season, it was a goalless draw at the Lamex Stadium with both sides having players sent off. Jake Forster-Caskey and Joe Rafferty were both dismissed in the 55th minute following a skirmish just before the hour mark.
A win for Pompey would help them keep top spot with Bolton Wanderers breathing down their throats with just two points separating them. If Stevenage were to win then they would likely be non-movers because of Peterborough United and Derby County's vastly superior goal difference. Stevenage's away form isn't that bad at the minute with just one defeat in five games on their travels with the rest being three wins and a draw.
The January transfer window is here, but no new signings will feature given that they need to be registered at 12.00 pm the previous day, and the window won't have opened by then. Several Pompey players are nursing serious injuries, whilst Stevenage have some players that are doubts because of injuries, but also team selection. Here's the latest injury and team news ahead of Stevenage v Pompey in the EFL League One clash at Fratton Park.
In the earlier meeting between the two sides this season, it was a goalless draw at the Lamex Stadium with both sides having players sent off. Jake Forster-Caskey and Joe Rafferty were both dismissed in the 55th minute following a skirmish just before the hour mark.
![The defender has been missing since picking up an ankle injury against Cambridge United on October 24,](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/12/08/13/32/GettyImages-1460342387.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
5. Connor Ogilvie - out
The defender has been missing since picking up an ankle injury against Cambridge United on October 24, | Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images
![John Mousinho said on December 22:
‘He was out on the grass yesterday, has done a lot of running and is progressing nicely, which is a real positive.
'We have to be careful with Connor because he spent a long period out before he started against Cambridge United and then played for eight seconds before getting injured again.
'You’ve probably got to put the two periods together in terms of his return.
‘He will be back in full training in a couple of weeks and then it’s probably going to be 2-4 weeks before he’s fit again.
'Probably he’ll be back at the end of January and the start of February.’](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmYyOTUwNDBlLWY0ZTYtNGM1OS04ZDBiLWIxZDJhMWQyZTljYTo1OWE1Nzk5ZS03Y2U5LTRkNDMtOGM0ZS0zN2IwYWE0ZTg4ZWM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
6. Connor Ogilvie - out (contineud)
John Mousinho said on December 22: ‘He was out on the grass yesterday, has done a lot of running and is progressing nicely, which is a real positive. 'We have to be careful with Connor because he spent a long period out before he started against Cambridge United and then played for eight seconds before getting injured again. 'You’ve probably got to put the two periods together in terms of his return. ‘He will be back in full training in a couple of weeks and then it’s probably going to be 2-4 weeks before he’s fit again. 'Probably he’ll be back at the end of January and the start of February.’ | Jason BrownPhoto: Jason Brown
![Hasn't made the match-day squad for the last two games, and has been limited to just 17 minutes of league action for Stevenage.
Unlikely to feature against his former club.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmZiMjkzYzlmLTc4YTAtNDg3Zi04Y2Q0LTJmZDY3YWMxMWUzYjpkNDdiMzMzNi0xMzdmLTQ2MGMtOWI0Mi0zMGMzOWI0ZjUwM2U=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
7. Harvey White - doubt (Stevenage)
Hasn't made the match-day squad for the last two games, and has been limited to just 17 minutes of league action for Stevenage. Unlikely to feature against his former club. | Joe PeplerPhoto: Joe Pepler
![Anjorin is out with a hamstring injury picked up in the FA Cup first-round defeat at Chesterfield. He is expected to be out until mid-February.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/12/09/8/46/Tino%20Anjorin.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
8. Tino Anjorin - out
Anjorin is out with a hamstring injury picked up in the FA Cup first-round defeat at Chesterfield. He is expected to be out until mid-February. | Jason BrownPhoto: Jason Brown