Pompey end search for friendly opposition

POMPEY have been forced to admit defeat in last-gasp attempts to find alternative friendly opposition at St George’s Park.

Instead they will today stage an in-house match featuring entirely their own squad at the Burton upon Trent venue.

The Blues were fuming after Crystal Palace called off the scheduled pre-season friendly.

The Premier League side had intimated they would put out a strong team for the StGeorge’sPark fixture, despite being booked to face Walsall the following day (July 17).

However, concerns over player availability prompted new boss Patrick Vieira to scrap their Blues

encounter–yetPalace’sgame with the Saddlers remains in the diary.

At such short notice and with Covid bubbles to consider, the Blues have been unable to secure a replacement for today.

Yet with Cowley still determined to utilise the St George’s Park facilities and put match minutes into his player, the show will go on.

As an alternative, Pompey will play a game between the 28 players who have attended their week-long training camp.

The likes of Michael

Jacobs and Ellis Harrison will not be considered following long-term injury absences, despite the latter now back in training.

In addition, Paul Downing is out with a hamstring issue and Gavin Bazunu (quad) is expected to be back in action attheendof nextweek.

Regardless, there are enough available bodies in the Pompey camp to fulfil an 11-a-side fixture, scheduled for 30 minutes each way.