PORTSMOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB

With a spot in the play-offs looking likely, Pompey will be keen to build momentum in their final three league fixtures.

Games against Hartlepool and champions Northampton are to come after Tuesday night’s trip to AFC Wimbledon.

But Paul Cook will have to patch together a side, with several players having picked up injuries over the past few days.

Kyle Bennett and Adam Webster are definitely sidelined, although the Blues boss refused to divulge who else would miss out.

He said: “We’ve lost a number of players from Saturday’s side, so it will be a much-changed line-up for us.

“We’re not tinkering with the team because of where we are in the table – we’ve got some lads with injuries who are ruled out.

“It’s all hands to the pump and the side will become a bit more unbalanced, but we’ll just keep going.

“Both sides look likely to be in the play-offs, but there’s still so much to play for before then.

“I’m sure there will be sense of satisfaction from Neal Ardley and his staff in achieving that and it’s always a difficult game when you play them.

“It’s not going to be a great match – the surface there isn’t one that you can really play football on. But we have to deal with that, adapt and try to win.”

Pompey are likely to come up against their former skipper Paul Robinson, who departed for the Dons last summer.

Cook said: “Paul’s has had an exceptional career and was an outstanding captain during his time here.

“He’s a good guy and it’s always nice to see people move on and do well, but the most important thing is how we perform.”

Pompey still need a point to guarantee a spot in the top seven, but Cook believes that they can already be proud of their achievements.

He said: “I can look back on my first season – from where we were to where we are now – and there are certainly lots of positive signs.

“It’s the first year in a while that we’ve had an upward curve and I think this club is moving in the right direction – irrespective of what happens during my tenure.”