Portsmouth V Notts County at Fratton Park : Match Preview

11 January 2013 15:31
Portsmouth V Notts County - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Defensive duo back for Pompey

Portsmouth defenders Ricardo Rocha and Gabor Gyepes are available for the visit of Notts County.

Rocha and Gyepes missed last weekend's defeat at Walsall due to hamstring injuries but both have been passed fit.

Gyepes has signed a new month-long contract but Pompey are letting other players leave to cut costs.

Full-back Jon Harley has made himself available for what looks like being his last game for the club but midfielder Brian Howard, who will also be out of contract next week, is missing with a groin injury.

Caretaker boss Guy Whittingham has recalled young defender Dan Butler from a loan spell at Havant & Waterlooville and he will be in the squad.

Striker James Keene should also be involved after completing his loan move from Swedish club Elfsborg.

County captain Neal Bishop may miss the trip.

Bishop's wife went into labour on Thursday, meaning the midfielder may opt to remain in Nottingham.

With the Magpies out of the FA Cup, Keith Curle's side have not played since New Year's Day - and the manager has seen his squad change drastically since.

Striker Chris Iwelumo has returned to Watford after his loan spell ended.

Defenders Carl Regan and Tom Williams have been allowed to leave the club while veteran striker Lee Hughes has also departed, signing for npower League Two promotion chasers Port Vale.

However, Andre Boucaud will be available on the south coast after the midfielder returned to Meadow Lane on a permanent deal from Luton this week.

Midfielder Jordan Stewart and defender Damion Stewart are both in negotiations over new deals after their short-term contracts ended at the turn of the year. The latter would miss out at Fratton Park anyway through suspension.

Meanwhile, Curle is trying to sign Craig Beattie as Hughes' replacement but faces a race against time to get him in the squad for Saturday.

Source: PA