Much to ponder for Abbott
Portsmouth caretaker boss Guy Whittingham will give a late fitness test to striker David Connolly ahead of Saturday's clash with Carlisle.
The veteran striker has missed Pompey's last three games with a hamstring injury but could recover in time to feature in the matchday squad.
Otherwise Whittingham has no new injury or suspension concerns as his side go in search of their first win since October 20.
Strike trio John Akinde, James Keene and Patrick Agyemang will compete for two starting berths in Portsmouth's attack. New signing Akinde was dropped to the bench for Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Hartlepool after making his debut against Bournemouth last weekend and will be hoping to make his return to Whittingham's starting line up.
Carlisle boss Greg Abbott could make changes.
The Cumbrians named the same side in midweek that won back-to-back games against Tranmere and Stevenage, but they were beaten 3-1 by Scunthorpe.
There were no fresh injury worries but the Blues looked more dangerous in the second half when David Symington replaced Andy Welsh out wide, and the 19-year-old is in the frame for a third league start.
Liam Noble, Mark Beck, Peter Murphy and Mike Edwards are also pushing for inclusion from the off.
Abbott has warned his charges they cannot take Guy Whittingham's side lightly, especially after they ended a nine-match losing run with a point at Hartlepool in midweek.
He told the club's official website: "Guy will use the result from Tuesday night as an example of what they can do and they'll be really fired up. They have some fantastic fans down there and they will shout and cheer for everything.
"If we go there thinking it's just a case of turning up then we'll lose, it really is as simple as that."
Source: PA
