Nesta Guinness-Walker returns to our squad for tonight’s League One clash with Portsmouth, but Head Coach Mark Robinson will have to make do without fellow defenders Ben Heneghan and Henry Lawrence.
“Henry has unfortunately done his hamstring,” said Robbo. “We’re not sure to what degree. It’s early days. He’s obviously feeling really down, because he was looking to get back in the side with all the games coming up. Ben has tested positive for Covid.”
Although Guinness-Walker (pictured) has completed a one-match suspension after his sending off last week, Robbo will still have to make do without defender Paul Kalambayi, midfielder Anthony Hartigan and striker Aaron Pressley.
“That’s five key players, but it is what it is,” said Robbo. “You just have to find solutions. It’s not ideal, as they are key players, but you just have to get on with it.
“Aaron (hamstring) was back out on the grass and had a session on Monday, which is good. That probably means he’s only two or three weeks away, which is really positive. It’s a little bit sooner than we thought.
“Anthony (stomach pains) has come in to see us. He’s still not feeling right. A lot of the issues he had have kind of steadied now. He’s not in the pain that he was, but he’s still not right. We’re waiting for the results from the tests, but I think it’ll be a week or two before Ant is back in training and back in contention.”
The two sides have met twice before this season. We beat Portsmouth 5-3 at the Cherry Red Records Stadium in the Papa John’s Trophy group game back in September. Tonight’s visitors were 2-1 winners when we met at Fratton Park in the league in November, Pompey coming from behind to win after Ollie Palmer's early spot-kick.
“We were very good that night in the Papa John’s,” said Robbo. “We had a changed side, but they had a completely different team that night. It was a great game of football, to be honest, but even then they showed what they were capable of as they got into the game. The game at their place was a very tight one. We felt we should have come away with a draw, but we switched off at the end. We know they are a good side and they offer a real threat.
“Night games are always fantastic, and their fans are always up for it and noisy. The atmosphere on Saturday was fantastic, the fans didn’t stop. Tuesday night, under the lights against Portsmouth, should be really good.”
You can listen to what Head Coach Mark Robinson had to say below, in the build-up to the match against Portsmouth, via the link to our official YouTube channel.