Danny Cowley does not anticipate making too many changes when Harrogate Town head to the south coast this weekend.
Pompey are looking to book their place in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup by beating League Two opposition.
But with players still in the treatment room and a couple more feeling under the weather, there are not too many options to freshen things up.
Cowley does, however, hope that a couple of members of the injured party will be able to make their comeback.
The Blues boss said: "It's the greatest cup competition in the world and we have a home draw in the second round, so we're looking forward to it.
"You can name nine substitutes, but we're scratching around a bit at the moment and are short of players, so we're not really in a position to rotate.
"Our focus in recent weeks, though, has very much been on trying to find solutions rather than excuses and that will continue.
"We're scratching around a bit at the moment and are short of players, so we're not really in a position to rotate."
"John Marquis has trained and if there are no issues on Friday, then he'll be available for selection again.
"That's very pleasing, as is the fact the Lee Brown has been out there with us all week. They're real positives for us."
Pompey's opponents sit seventh in League Two, having played sixth tier football as recently as 2018.
Cowley said: "We have a lot of respect for Harrogate and Simon Weaver has done an amazing job there, along with his dad, who's the chairman.
"There have been two promotions in the space of three seasons and they've also won the FA Trophy, although they broke mine and Nicky's hearts by beating Concord Rangers!
"They've gone from strength to strength as a team and are both humble and hard-working, so we anticipate the toughest of fixtures.
"We'll have to be at our very best if we want to navigate our way through the tie and keep our unbeaten run going."