Source: SKY_Sports
Hull City v Portsmouth preview
Hull City host fellow strugglers Portsmouth at the KC Stadium on Saturday in a crucial battle at the bottom of the table.[LNB] Pompey have seen their fortunes improve under temporary manager Paul Hart and their win over Everton last time out took them to within a point of the Tigers.[LNB]The clash is the first of three massive matches for Phil Brown's men with games against Middlesbrough and Sunderland immediately following Saturday's fixture.[LNB]Both clubs will be desperate for maximum points with the South Coast club closest to the drop zone with three points separating themselves and the bottom three.[LNB]Hull City team newsStriker Daniel Cousin is a doubt with the back injury that has kept him out of the club's last two games.[LNB]Defender Andy Dawson is likely to miss out after pulling a thigh muscle against Wigan in their last league outing.[LNB]However fellow defender Kamil Zayatte has recovered from a leg injury he picked up against the Latics after he played 90 minutes for Guinea last week.[LNB]Captain Ian Ashbee could return for the match after missing the Wigan defeat due to a muscle injury. [LNB]Brown has revealed that Nick Barmby will play a significant role in the club's bid to avoid the drop although he added that he would pick and choose when to use him.[LNB]After being an unused substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Wigan, the former England international could start in what is a must-not lose fixture.[LNB]Portsmouth team newsPompey have on-loan Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant available again after he missed the 2-1 success against the Toffees with a calf injury.[LNB]The 26-year-old should go straight back into the starting line-up with Glen Johnson, who played in a more advanced role on the right-hand side against Everton, returning to full-back with Younes Kaboul likely to make way.[LNB]Armand Traore was the only player to return from international duty with a knock after he picked up an ankle injury while with the France Under-21s.[LNB]Winger Jerome Thomas and defender Marc Wilson are also out after hobbling out of a reserve clash earlier this week.[LNB]Striker Peter Crouch will lead the visitors' attack high on confidence after he followed up his double against Everton with the opener in England's 2-1 win over the Ukraine.[LNB]Possible starting XIs[LNB]Hull City: Duke, Ricketts, Turner, Zayatte, Mendy, Ashbee, Kilbane, Geovanni, Marney, Barmby, Manucho.[LNB]Portsmouth: James, Campbell, Distin, Johnson, Hreidarsson, Pennant, Mullins, Davis, Kranjcar, Nugent, Crouch.[LNB]
