Portsmouth v Ipswich preview

Team news for Tuesday evening's Championship clash between Portsmouth and Ipswich at Fratton Park.

Portsmouth should be unchanged.

Midfielder David Norris is still recovering from a hernia operation, Luke Varney is building up his fitness after two months out with a knee injury and fellow striker Kanu has a back problem.

With such a small squad at his disposal, boss Michael Appleton is therefore set to stick with the side which drew 1-1 at Blackpool on Saturday.

Tal Ben Haim came through unscathed at Bloomfield Road after a hamstring problem and continues at right-back.

Youngster Adam Webster will be on the bench again after having an injection in a toe injury last week.

Defender Jason Pearce and midfielder Joel Ward will play against the club who tried to sign them in January.

Ipswich skipper Ibrahima Sonko will miss the trip having been ruled out for between two to four weeks with a dislocated rib.

The centre-back was forced off in Saturday's home clash against Middlesbrough, which was abandoned after just 37 minutes at Portman Road due to a frozen pitch.

Sonko's absence will finally force manager Paul Jewell into a change having kept faith with the same XI for victories over West Ham and Coventry as well as the weekend meeting with Boro.

Lee Bowyer will be assessed having returned to training last week following his groin injury, with the midfielder close to making his return to Jewell's matchday squad.

The Town boss is not expected to have any other injury concerns as he prepares to face a Pompey side boasting three players - Jason Pearce, Joel Ward and Stephen Henderson - who he battled hard to sign during the January transfer window but ultimately came up short.