Portsmouth v Walsall preview
Last Updated: September 14, 2012 11:00am
Gyepes: Ruled out for three weeks
Team news for Saturday's League One clash between Portsmouth and Walsall at Fratton Park.
Portsmouth will be without Gabor Gyepes.
The Hungarian defender has been ruled out for three weeks after damaging ankle ligaments on his debut against Crawley last Sunday.
With Paul Connolly having gone back to parent club Leeds with a hamstring injury, boss Michael Appleton is attempting to bring in a defender on loan.
But he can welcome back full-back Mustapha Dumbuya, who missed the 3-0 win at the Broadfield Stadium as he was on international duty with Sierra Leone.
Brian Howard will be fit despite a slight knee knock at Crawley, while Jack Compton and Izale McLeod should shake off niggles picked up in training.
But winger Jordan Obita serves the final game of the three-match ban he received for his red card against Oldham a fortnight ago.
Will Grigg returns for Walsall after being away on international duty.
The striker missed last weekend's 1-0 win over MK Dons due to his commitments with Northern Ireland but is back in the fold for the clash at Fratton Park.
Grigg, however, faces a battle for his first-team spot following last weekend's impressive result.
Midfielder Adam Chambers will again be assessed as he looks to make his return from a hamstring injury but is unlikely to feature.
Twin brother James (thigh) and forward Febian Brandy (hamstring) remain unavailable along with back-up goalkeeper Jimmy Walker (calf).
The Saddlers are unbeaten in four league games but come up against a Pompey side who, despite being winless at home so far this term, claimed their first three points of the season last weekend courtesy of an impressive 3-0 triumph at Crawley.
Matches
-
npower League 1
Table
npower League 1
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doncaster Rovers | 46 | 84 |
| 2 | Bournemouth | 46 | 83 |
| 3 | Brentford | 46 | 79 |
| 4 | Yeovil Town | 46 | 77 |
| 5 | Sheffield United | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Swindon Town | 46 | 74 |
| 7 | Leyton Orient | 46 | 71 |
| 8 | Milton Keynes Dons | 46 | 70 |
| 9 | Walsall | 46 | 68 |
| 10 | Crawley Town | 46 | 68 |
| 11 | Tranmere Rovers | 46 | 67 |
| 12 | Notts County | 46 | 65 |
| 13 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 64 |
| 14 | Preston North End | 46 | 59 |
| 15 | Coventry City | 46 | 55 |
| 16 | Shrewsbury Town | 46 | 55 |
| 17 | Carlisle United | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Stevenage | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Oldham Athletic | 46 | 51 |
| 20 | Colchester United | 46 | 51 |
| 21 | Scunthorpe United | 46 | 48 |
| 22 | Bury | 46 | 41 |
| 23 | Hartlepool United | 46 | 41 |
| 24 | Portsmouth | 46 | 32 |
