KARL Robinson has looked into raiding Oxford United’s younger sides to fill his matchday squad at Portsmouth today.
The squad have five senior players ruled out, along with doubts over Chris Cadden (hamstring), Rob Hall (ankle) and Tariqe Fosu (fatigue).
In that context, the visitors’ bench could have a youthful look this afternoon.
Read also: Three Portsmouth players who could be key against Oxford United
Robinson, United’s head coach, said: “We certainly are searching.
“We have a fantastic under 23 squad and a really good under 18s who are really pushing and asking questions.”
“We’re not 100 per cent confident what we will go with, but we have a clear game plan.”
Nico Jones was among the substitutes in midweek, while the likes of Kyran Lofthouse and Fabio Lopes could get a call-up.
Andy Cannon is fit to face the U’s after recovering from a thigh strain, but striker Brett Pitman – who has three goals in his last two games against Robinson’s men – is expected to be kept out by a groin injury.
TODAY’S LINE-UPS
Portsmouth: from MacGillivray, Brown, Burgess, Raggett, Naylor, Williams, Curtis, McCrorie, Evans, Close, Marquis, Harrison, Harness, Cannon, Haunstrup, Bolton, Downing, Bass.
Oxford Utd: from Eastwood, Long, Dickie, Mousinho, Ruffels, Gorrin, Baptiste, Henry, Sykes, Taylor, Forde, Mackie, Agyei, Lofthouse, Lopes, Moore, Jones, Stevens.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here