A gap of 90 days will have passed since Pompey drew with Wycombe on the final day of the 2022/23 campaign. So a return to competitive action will be most welcome for John Mousinho’s men when they face Bristol Rovers at Fratton Park on Saturday (3pm kick-off). Supporters looking for good omens will note that the visitors have only won twice on Portsea Island in the past 100 years. The Blues have won 11 of the past 12 meetings on the south coast, including a 3-1 success 12 months ago. Rovers finished last season down in 17th position, although were still a comfortable eight points clear of the drop zone. And in striker Aaron Collins, they have the man named League One Player of the Season at the EFL Awards back in April. But their manager Joey Barton will not be making the trip down to Fratton Park with his team, as he starts a three-game stadium ban following a furious reaction to a refereeing performance at Sheffield Wednesday last term. Fans should note that Saturday’s game might last a bit longer than usual after the EFL announced a new approach to time keeping. TEAM NEWS Paddy Lane (ankle) is the only senior player missing for the hosts, while teenager Josh Dockerill is out with a long-term knee injury. There are 12 summer signings who will be hoping to make their competitive bows for Pompey on Saturday. Bristol Rovers could also hand out a few debuts, but George Friend, James Gibbons, Luke McCormick and Jordan Rossiter are currently sidelined. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 26 wins Bristol Rovers: 12 wins 10 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 17 wins Bristol Rovers: 2 wins 4 draws TICKETS Fratton Park is full to capacity for Saturday’s game. If you are attending, read our matchday guide to find out what is happening around the ground. OFFICIALS Referee: Sam Allison Assistants: Mark Dwyer and Andrew Dallison Fourth Official: Farai Hallam MATCH COVERAGE Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from around 2pm on Saturday. Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can watch all the action live, with accompanying commentary. Click here for more information about using iFollow on a matchday and click here for information on downloading the app, so you can access content on your mobile device. We will have updates throughout the game on Twitter and the match centre. You can also see behind-the-scenes content on our Instagram story. There will be post-match reaction on the website and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Sunday. Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either BBC Radio Solent or Express FM (not available online).
Four of our new signings making their league debuts today - Will Norris/Regan Poole/Gavin Whyte/Anthony Scully. Another six new signings are on the bench - Ryan Schofield/Jack Sparkes/Terry Devlin/Abu Kamara/Christian Saydee/Kusini Yengi. Ex-Pompey striker John Marquis starts the game for Rovers.
First booking of the match to Rovers player Sam Finley for hacking down Pompey skipper Marlon Pack. 9 minutes.
Attempt missed. Colby Bishop's header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Connor Ogilvie with a cross following a set piece situation. 10 minutes.
Joe Rafferty's cross finds Anthony Scully at the back post and he lays it off for Gavin Whyte, whose close-range effort is deflected over. 12 minutes.
Tom Lowery's corner is not properly dealt with by Cox and Gavin Whyte's low shot is diverted behind. 27 minutes.
So close! Marlon Pack finds Gavin Whyte in the box and he fires a low shot inches past the post. 28 minutes.
A long ball up the pitch by Will Norris is nodded down by Colby Bishop, but Cox just beats Tom Lowery to the ball. 29 minutes.
Now Tom Lowery has a go from the edge of the box, but he can't get enough power on it and Cox gathers. 30 minutes.
