Saturday 23 July 2016

Pompey have strengthened over the summer

Having just got off the plane, AFCB are walking into another game - this time it's the Alan McLouglin benefit fund match. So what have Pompey been up to since their play-off defeat to Plymouth earlier this year. Signings have been coming in and a few names have departed but Portsmouth will be up for the contest having given AFCB a close call in last year's FA Cup match at Fratton Park.

Pompey's latest signing is striker Curtis Main who was bought from Doncaster Rovers on a two-year deal. The 24-year-old was on loan at Oldham last season and scored just four goals and 18 games. Fellow striker Michael Smith has also signed from Swindon Town having been on loan at Pompey. They have also strengthened their back line with the signing of Tom Davies who was released by Accrington Stanley. Drew Talbot has been picked up as well having been released by Chesterfield. He is a 29-year-old full back.
The Pompey line up against AFCB when they met in the FA cup last season.
Like AFCB, Portsmouth have also been looking at wingers and they have brought in 23-year-old Milan Lalkovic from Walsall. Experience in midfield will also be given by new signing Carl Baker who has transferred from Milton Keynes Dons and Danny Rose who was the first summer signing and was bought from newly promoted Northampton Town. Matt Clarke who was on loan at Pompey lat season from Ipswich also agreed to join Pompey over the summer. 

Those who won't be available include Gareth Evans who has a knee and ankle ligament injury and is not due back in pre-season. Pompey's player of the season midfielder Ben Davies has also moved on to Grimsby. Defender Adam Webster has left for Ipswich Town. Meanwhile, AFCB favourite Danny Hollands is currently out of contract but may agree terms with Pompey on a new contract.

That all said, AFCB will be playing a very different team to the side that it played in the fourth round of last season's FA Cup. Ryan Allsop also kept goal for Pompey in the play-offs and I'm not sure they were that impressed with him having been rather at fault for one of Plymouth's goals in the play-offs.

Injury and team news
The Echo has given an update on injuries - Andrew Surman and Ryan Fraser should feature for AFCB v Pompey today. Benik Afobe will train next week after he received the all clear on his knee scan and Steve Cook's thigh strain is only expect to keep him out two weeks. Bailey Cargill has a groin strain and Junior Stanislas is not expected to feature either. Nathan Aké is being rested and Emerson Hyndman and Adam Smith, Tyrone Mings are also not available on the longer injury list. Shaun MacDonald might have to come in at centre-half for this game. It may be a case of who is still standing! It's pay on the door at Fratton Park.



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