Regardless, John Mousinho’s men triumphed 1-0 to stretch their unbeaten run to 12 matches and put themselves nine points clear of third place in the automatic promotion spots.
Whether through illness or injury, the Blues continue to battle through an ever-lengthening list of absentees, yet remarkably keep driving towards the Championship.
So here are the 14 players missing from Saturday’s London Road victory – which doesn’t include Christian Saydee, who collected a hamstring issue during the match.
13. Regan Poole - Knee
Tore the ACL in his knee while tussling with Will Grigg for the ball in the 11th minute against Chesterfield on November 5, 2023. Ruled out for the season and expected to be back sometime in the summer. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImages Photo: Jason Brown
14. Connor Ogilvie - Knee
Sustained a knee injury in the second half of the Fratton Park clash with Oxford United on March 2. Despite managing to complete the match, he has been ruled out for a month, which takes him up to the start of April. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImages Photo: Jason Brown