Pompey down to bare bones

08 August 2010 12:00
Portsmouth boss Steve Cotterill will again have a threadbare squad to choose from for the trip to Stevenage in the Carling Cup. Cotterill could name only four substitutes - none of whom had previously played for the first team - in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Coventry. And his ranks will be depleted further with World Cup star Aaron Mokoena set to return to South Africa after being named in the squad to face Ghana at the Soccer City Stadium. Hayden Mullins (knee) will be checked over, Hermann Hreidarsson (Achilles), Danny Webber, Tom Kilbey (both knee) and Billy Goddard (shin) remain on the sidelines while Kanu will miss out again if his contract situation is not resolved. Cotterill knows his side are on a hiding to nothing against the Football League newcomers. "The game's on TV because people are looking for an upset. We know it's going to be awkward," he said.

Source: PA