Problems for Pompey as sicknessbug strikes again

POMPEY have 14 senior players available for Morecambe.

According to Danny Cowley, the sickness bug which has swept through the Pompey camp has claimed another, unnamed, player.

With Joe Morrell and Michael Jacobs not yet back in training having also contracted the illness, it further depletes a shrinking squad.

In addition, Lee Brown’s hamstring injury sidelines him along with Clark Robertson, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Paul Downing, Louis Thompson, Liam Vincent and Jayden Reid.

The Blues are eight matches unbeaten in League One heading into their encounter with 20th-place Morecambe. Yet Cowley’s selection plans have suffered another body blow.

The Blues head coach said: ‘We are still really challenged by the unavailability we have in and around the group at the moment, whether it’s injury or illness.

‘It’s the worst I have known in my 15 years as a manager. We anticipate maybe 14 (senior) players on Saturday.

‘We had another text message Thursday morning to say someone had pulled out of training. It’s another player with illness.

‘Michael (Jacobs) is still feeling the effects and so is Joe (Morrell), but we are hopeful that maybe they’ll be available come Saturday.’

The likelihood is Pompey bench numbers on Saturday will once again be swelled by academy players.

Harry Jewitt-White,

Dan Gifford and Harvey Hughes were named among the substitutes in Tuesday night’s goalless draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

Cowley added: ‘In every difficulty there becomes an opportunity for others.

‘There’s certainly an opportunity for our young players to come in and make the most of the chance that they get.’

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