Oxford United vs Portsmouth preview - No new worries for Pompey

Posted Friday, August 22, 2014 by PA

Michael Appleton has no fresh injury worries as Oxford prepare to face his former employers Portsmouth.

Long-term absentees Ryan Clarke and Andy Whing are five to six weeks away from returning to full fitness and are Appleton's only certain absentees against a club where he spent just under a year before departing for Blackpool in November 2012.

The U's, yet to pick up a point since Appleton took charge this summer, had defender Michael Raynes available again as they lost 1-0 to Morecambe on Tuesday night and the centre-back could come into the starting line-up having been an unused substitute in midweek.

Alfie Potter, David Hunt and Jon Meades are also pushing for starts.

Adam Webster is back in contention for Portsmouth.

The teenage defender missed Tuesday's 2-0 win over Northampton through suspension following his red card against Cambridge last weekend.

Boss Andy Awford has been rotating his squad so far this season to good effect and Webster, Andy Barcham and club captain Jonny Ertl - who also missed out on Tuesday - played in a midweek friendly against Havant & Waterlooville to keep up their fitness.

But Patrick Agyemang (hamstring), Danny East (groin), Michael Pope (Achilles), Tom Craddock and Wes Fogden (both knee) are still on the sidelines.