By Kyle Whitworth
Pompey head to the Keepmoat stadium, hanging on to their Championship status by a fine thread. They face another side resigned to life in League One next year, Doncaster, who prop up the league table and will be looking to salvage pride if little else. Both sides will be looking to bounce back from home defeats and cling to slim hopes of playing Championship football next year.
Team News
Ricardo Rocha was substituted early during the home defeat to Millwall on Tuesday evening, but is expected to be passed fit ahead of Saturday’s kick-off after taking part in training this week.
Aaron Mokoena and Nwankwo Kanu remain absent and are unlikely to feature again this season – the King returned to training this week after recovering from a back injury but rumours continue about a likely departure.
The Pompey squad have been struck with a virus which may see David Norris sidelined, but Dave Kitson is available after missing the Millwall fixture.
Michael Appleton may be tempted to change his team around after admitting confidence has dropped amongst the side, and with Championship survival looking bleak, young talent such as Sam Magri and Luca Scapuzzi may play a part.
Ashley Harris is yet to make his first away appearance or first start for the Blues after making his debut in the 4-1 win against Birmingham City.
Dean Saunders has a plethora of injury concerns, telling media that the “whole team in injured, near enough”
Habib Beye (ankle) is doubtful, with midfielder Martin Woods (knee) and forward Habib Bamogo (hamstring) confirmed absentees.
Pompey boo-boy El Hadji-Diouf joins former Blues striker Frederic Piquionne in a late fitness dash to be ready for this fixture, which fellow striker Brian Stock lasted is unlikely to feature after lasting just 22 minutes against Burnley.
History
Pompey hold clear advantage in the history of league meetings between the sides, winning seven of the 11 fixtures, Doncaster having only collected three points on two occasions.
Spoils were shared last year as David Healy struck a Doncaster winner at Fratton Park, before a classy Joel Ward finish secured 3 points for Pompey at the Keepmoat.
A Luke Varney brace set Pompey on the way to 3 points at this year’s reverse fixture at Fratton Park in October. Joel Ward and Dave Kitson have both scored two goals against Doncaster in the previous three fixtures, so both would be delighted to add to that total.
Today’s hosts Doncaster find themselves in dire straits at the bottom of the Championship table, 11 points from safety with 12 to play for. Doncaster simply must win to retain any survival hope, should Bristol City win, Doncaster will be relegated regardless. Pompey also find themselves needing results elsewhere to go their way, finding themselves 9 points from safety. Should Bristol City win or Draw, Pompey would be relegated with defeat. Should Bristol CIty win, and the sides were to draw at the Keepmoat, both Pompey and Donny would be relegated together.
Form
Pompey’s last 5 (league): LWLDL
Doncaster (league): LDLLL
Line-Up
Possible Pompey line-up: Ashdown; Ward, Pearce, Rocha, Rekik; Halford, Etuhu, Varney, Allan, Norris; Maguire
Possible Doncaster line-up: Woods; O’Connor, Friend, Lockwood, Hird; Stock, Gillett, Brown, Hayter; Robert, Bennett
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