The game against Paul Cook non-leaguers could potentially allow head coach John Mousinho to reshuffle his pack as he concentrates on maintaining the Blues’ place at the summit of League One.
That’s something the Pompey boss has experimented with in recent games, with match-winner Terry Devlin’s surprise inclusion from the start at Reading last week proving the Blues possess the resources and quality within their ranks to keep opponents guessing.
But with Mousinho insisting he’s taking his very first FA Cup game as a manager seriously, there’ll be no tinkering for the sake of it.
He told The News: ‘We’ll be taking it very seriously and we’ll be strong in terms of the line-up.
‘We’ve had a week leading into this. We don’t have a league game for six days afterwards. I know we’ve got the game on Tuesday night (against Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy) but we want to take this game in isolation first before we look at anything in terms of team selection for Tuesday.
‘So, yeah, we’ll be approaching it as seriously as we approach a league game.’
Add the fact that Pompey will be looking to avoid the embarrassment of losing to a non-league side live of national television will also be on the Blues boss’ mind heading into the Proact Stadium encounter.
So what can we expect from Mousinho selection-wise ahead of this weekend’s Cup clash with the Spireites?
Well, this is how we think they’ll line up with the added luxury of having nine substitutes on the bench.
13. Sub 1: Ryan Schofield
The keeper maintains his place as back-up to Will Norris. Photo: Jason Brown
14. Sub 2: Zak Swanson
The defender will be desperate to get another run-out after his surprise start against Cambridge United. However, he might have to wait for Tuesday's trip to Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy to do that. Photo: Jason Brown
15. Sub 3: Sean Raggett
It must be so frustrating for the centre-back, who barely missed a game for the Blues prior to this season. Expect his occupancy of the bench to continue at Chesterfield. Photo: Jason Brown
16. Sub 4: Ben Stevenson
There's definitely reasons why Stevenson should start against Chesterfield. But with Morrell or Robertson unlikely to start in the EFL Trophy at the O's on Tuesday night and with an important league game against Charlton on the horizon, it's likely this is the game Stevenson will be asked to sit out. Photo: Jason Brown