Portsmouth vs Cambridge United preview - Holmes should make Pompey squad

Posted Friday, August 15, 2014 by PA

Ricky Holmes could be added to the Portsmouth squad for the visit of Cambridge.

Midfielder Holmes has yet to make an appearance this season due to a thigh problem but is back in training and will be assessed before kick-off.

Wing-back Alex Wynter was forced off with a head knock during Tuesday's Capital One Cup win over Peterborough but he should be fine

However, back-up goalkeeper Michael Poke faces a spell out with an Achilles injury and joins Patrick Agyemang (hamstring), Danny East (groin), Tom Craddock and Wes Fogden (both knee) on the sidelines.

Cambridge strengthened their squad ahead of the trip with the signing of midfielder Sam Whittall on a six-month contract.

The 20-year-old former Wolves trainee caught the eye when on trial in several pre-season friendlies and has now been handed a deal by the U's.

French midfielder Issaga Diallo will miss out with a thigh injury picked up in last weekend's victory over Plymouth.

Richard Money will monitor the rest of his squad after they played 120 minutes in the Capital One Cup, with the U's boss admitting his side "picked up some problems".

"We've had to go down to Wolves, then travel overnight to Portsmouth on Friday and go again up to York next Tuesday," he said. "So it's tough to freshen up for the weekend, but it'll be a big crowd and a great atmosphere, so I'm looking forward to it."