Portsmouth V Newport County at Fratton Park : Match Preview

13 December 2013 12:31
Portsmouth V Newport County - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


East eager for Pompey return

Portsmouth defender Danny East has not ruled out a remarkable comeback against Newport - just 10 days after fearing he had broken his neck.


East went to hospital for X-rays after landing awkwardly during the 2-2 draw at home to Wycombe last Wednesday but having got the all-clear he hopes to be involved against the Exiles, although Pompey's medical staff will have the final say.


New boss Richie Barker is without Tom Craddock (knee) for his first game in charge but fellow strikers David Connolly (knee) and Patrick Agyemang (thigh) returned as subs against Wycombe and could start.


Young defender Dan Butler is out with a knee injury while left-back Dan Potts plays the final game of his current loan from West Ham.


Newport will be without injured goalkeeper Jamie Stephens for the trips.


The 20-year-old former Liverpool keeper suffered a suspected torn hamstring in the 3-0 Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat to Peterborough on Tuesday which looks set to sideline him for a few weeks so Lenny Pidgeley is certain to start against Pompey.


Stephens was one of three enforced substitutions against Posh and manager Justin Edinburgh, who turned down the chance to talk to Saturday's opponents about replacing Guy Whittingham, is sweating on the fitness of Tom Naylor and Andrew Hughes who both had to come off with muscle tightness.


But Ismail Yakubu is available for selection having returned to full training ahead of the trip.


Source: PA