Boss looks ahead to Oxford test
It is one of the most-eagerly anticipated clashes of the season for the Fratton faithful.
They will be hoping their side can close the gap on the automatic promotion places when they host high-flying Oxford on Saturday.
Third-placed United are four points better off than Pompey in the League Two table, having played a game more.
But Paul Cook is not assigning this weekend’s fixture any more importance than usual.
The Blues boss said: “Oxford are having a fantastic season, but we’re just looking at it as the next game.
“They’re still involved in the FA Cup like us and are also in the latter stages of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
“So their campaign is going along very nicely, but the result on Saturday won’t decide the final outcome.
“There is going to be a massive crowd at Fratton Park and I’m sure lot of people are looking forward to watching the game.
“We’ve got some selection problems – but they’re good ones to have because a lot of players are performing very well at the moment.
“We’re lucky at the moment, as we’ve got a lot of lads who are desperate to play and that’s good for the manager.”
Pompey’s progression to the fourth round of the FA Cup means that they will have a few more midweek games added to their schedule.
Cook said: “There’s a lot made about fixture congestion, but the lads we’ve got are very fit.
“It’s a long season that has highs and lows – we’re certainly on a nice curve at the minute – and so we just keep going.”
Watch Cook’s thoughts on the game below or subscribe to Pompey PlayerHD for extended interviews with the manager and Michael Doyle.