Blues to wait on defender, Tykes centre-back suspended as fa start anti-doping investigation - Portsmouth v Barnsley early team news
Pompey will leave it late to assess the fitness of right-back James Bolton for the game against Barnsley.
He limped off during the EFL Trophy win against Scunthorpe with a thigh injury and is rated 50-50.
That could open the door for Haji Mnoga to make only his second appearance of the season following a metatarsal injury.
Ross McCrorie has been earmarked to make his comeback from a hamstring problem against Lincoln next week.
That’s despite his return from parent club Rangers, where the Scot did the majority of his rehab.
Jack Whatmough isn’t likely to feature, either, after his comeback from a long-term knee injury against Scunny.
Meanwhile, Cameron McGeehan won’t play against his parent club under the terms of his loan deal.
The Tykes will be without defender Bambo Diaby for their visit to Fratton Park.
He centre-back is suspended from playing while the Football Association investigate reports he failed a drugs test following Barnsley’s defeat at Blackburn Rovers on November 23.
Midfielder Mike Bahre will also miss the trip south because of illness.
But the Championship outfit received better news regarding Clark Oduor.
Despite not being 100-per-cent fit following an ankle injury, he’s expected to be available to feature against Pompey.