Gareth Evans is available for selection when the Blues host Burton on Tuesday. The experienced midfielder missed Saturday’s Leasing.com Trophy win over Norwich U21s with a dead leg. But he was in full training on Monday morning, as Pompey prepare for their first league game at Fratton Park for four weeks. And Kenny Jackett also revealed that two of his injured players are not far away from returning to action. The Blues boss said: “Lee Brown and Marcus Harness at the end stage and we hope it’s not too long, but neither will play against Burton or Wycombe. “Gareth got a dead leg in training on Thursday and had a fitness test on the Saturday morning. He wanted to play. “But it gave an opportunity for Josh Flint and it was one that he took, with a goal and assist against Norwich. “Gareth is fine this morning and is back in the squad for Tuesday night, which is very good news for us. “Bryn Morris is more of a long-term injury, with him and Jack Whatmough the only other players out.”
Burton 1 O'Hara 2 Brayford 21 O'Toole 18 Nartey 6 Wallace 4 Edwards 7 Quinn 14 Sbarra 10 Akins 9 Broadhead 17 Sarkic Substitutes 3 Daniel 5 Buxton 8 Fraser 13 Bywater 15 Hutchinson 19 Anderson 27 Boyce
What a terrible start to the match, 3rd eye !! I see that animal John-Joe O'Toole was sent off in the 25th minute for two bad fouls. The last time he was at Fratton Park he was the culprit when he viciously kicked Danny Rose in the leg in a dropped ball situation, which basically finished Danny's career with us
Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth) hits the left post with a left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left. 43rd minute.
Attempt blocked. Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Williams. 45+ 3 minutes.
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth..........Away Team: Burton Possession: Home: 65% Away: 35% Shots: Home: 12 Away: 3 Shots on Target: Home: 3 Away: 2 Corners: Home: 1 Away: 0 Fouls: Home: 8 Away: 3
Gareth Evans has really pepped Pompey up. He hangs a cross up for Ronan Curtis, whose header is tipped over by O'Hara. 50th minute.
Attempt blocked. Ross McCrorie (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Gareth Evans. 51st minute.
A Christian Burgess cross is headed back by Ronan Curtis for Ben Close and his effort is blocked for a corner. 51st minute.
Attempt missed. Ben Close (Portsmouth) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left following a corner. 72nd minute.
Brandon Haunstrup's superb cross picks out Ronan Curtis. He meets the ball well with his head and it looks a certain equaliser, only for O'Hara to make a fine stop to his right to tip the ball round the post. 75 minutes.
