Big blow for Lincoln as they'll be without 'Rolls Royce' defender for Portsmouth showdown

The former Wales under-21 international will see a surgeon on the day of the Sincil Bank fixture after suffering knee cartilage damage.

Both sides go into the game after suffering defeats at the weekend and will be looking to bounce back.

Pompey slipped a 2-0 loss to in-form Charlton Athletic at Fratton Park.

Lincoln, meanwhile, surrendered their place at the summit of the table after losing 1-0 at Doncaster.

And the Imps must make do without Walsh, who joined the club for MK Dons in the summer, against the Blues as he’s set for at least six weeks on the treatment table.

Boss Michael Appleton told Lincolnshire Live: ‘It’s really unfortunate for Joe and for everybody. It’s no coincidence that in the previous four games, we kept clean sheets. He’s been like a Rolls Royce back there. With him being left-sided too, it gives us a balance.

‘Unfortunately, he picked up an injury towards the end of the Crewe game. He’s had a scan and it’s shown he’s got a tear in his meniscus (a piece of cartilage in the knee).

‘He’s seeing the surgeon on Tuesday. He will go under the knife. We’ll just have to wait and see how long it’s going to be (he’s out for). It certainly won’t be any less than six weeks.

‘It’s disappointing for him. Before he came to the club, he’d never really been injured before. He then picked up a (thigh injury in pre-season) and missed the start of the season.

‘Then he gets himself into the team via Jacko (Adam Jackson) getting suspended, and he’s been brilliant for us, absolutely top drawer.’

Pompey could be a central defender short themselves against Lincoln as they await news on Jack Whatmough’s hamstring injury.

The academy graduate was replaced by Rasmus Nicolaisen at half-time in the loss against Charlton.