Pompey hope to continue their winning run as they travel to the capital to face Charlton Athletic at The Valley in their latest EFL League One clash.
The Blues have won their last four matches and hold a six-point lead over Derby County and Bolton Wanderers who are both on 66 points. Portsmouth have played a game more than them and will hope that next Tuesday (February 27) that there is a slip-up at least from the Rams and the Trotters when they play Charlton Athletic and Wigan Athletic respectively.
Portsmouth's unbeaten run comes on the backdrop of a month which has seen their squad decimated through injuries. Several players have had their campaigns ended through various issues. The good news is that several men are closing in on a return to action and whilst Charlton may come too soon, they could come back in the coming weeks and contribute in the vital weeks of the campaign.
The visitors to the Valley will be backed by more than 3,000 fans with 3,100 tickets snapped up. Portsmouth's record at the home of Charlton isn't the greatest and they are without a victory there in their last four meetings. The reverse fixture at Fratton Park back in November saw the two sides play to a 2-2 draw. Alfie May cancelled out Abu Kamara's opener and then Colby Bishop restored the lead but in the third stoppage time Conor McGrandles equalised.
Earlier this week, John Mousinho admitted he could venture in to the free agent market amidst the ongoing crisis that has nine players ruled out through injury. Here's the latest injury and team news ahead of kick-off at Fratton Park.
5. Zak Swanson - out
Underwent surgery for a groin issue in December. He's missed the last two months but will soon be ready to return to action. Saturday's game comes too soon for him though. | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages Photo: Pompey defender Zak Swanson is nearing a return to training.
6. Zak Swanson - out
John Mousinho said: ‘Zak will hopefully train with us on Friday. ‘He won’t be available for selection for the weekend if he does, but if he does he will then train with us from the beginning of next week. It might be too soon for the Oxford game, but the week after that we’ll be looking to have Zak back. ‘It’s a massive boost, whenever he’s played this season he’s been one of the outstanding players. ‘Zak responded to everything that went on really, really well but has been injured over the past few weeks - so it's great to have him now.’ | Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages
7. Tom Lowery - out
Pompey midfielder Tom Lowery is set to find out the extent of his hamstring injury after being forced off against Cambridge United. | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages
8. Tom Lowery - out (continued)
John Mousinho said: "Tom is seeing a specialist and we will have more news on that by Saturday. ‘There’s no new information on that, we knew we would come back and speak to the press about it after the Charlton game, because we needed the specialist to see the scan. ‘It’s more about the location of the tear. The tear isn’t too bad, it’s about the location of it and what complications that brings.’ | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages