Portsmouth vs Carlisle - Conor Wilkinson to miss out for Portsmouth

Posted Friday, April 01, 2016 by PA

Portsmouth will be without striker Conor Wilkinson in the Sky Bet League Two clash with Carlisle on Saturday.

Wilkinson, 21, was injured on international duty with Republic of Ireland Under-21s on Monday after joining Pompey on loan from Sky Bet Championship side Bolton on March 23.

Kieron Freeman (knee) and Brian Murphy (calf) could be in contention having returned to training following injuries which have kept the pair out for a number of important matches.

Pompey are unbeaten in two and currently sit sixth, in a play-off position.

Carlisle boss Keith Curle has options as he plots a late promotion push on the back of a five-game unbeaten run culminating in Monday's 3-2 home victory over Bristol Rovers.

Defender Alex McQueen and striker Steven Rigg are both doubts with groin problems but Curle otherwise has no fresh injury concerns.

Newcastle midfielder Alex Gilliead, one of six loan signings in the squad, started Monday's game after being released early from England Under-20s duty.

Football League rules mean only five loan players can be included in a matchday squad and frontman Hallam Hope was the man to miss out against Rovers with his manager wanting to see more from him, while Dutch midfielder Louis Pedro is unlikely to make the starting line-up this weekend after a late cameo as a substitute in the same game.