Portsmouth will look to put another turbulent week behind them when they travel to the Stadium of Light.
Portsmouth look to put their troubles behind them at Sunderland
Portsmouth will look to put another turbulent week behind them when they travel to Sunderland on Saturday.
The club were forced to issue a denial on Thursday that they were about to go into administration, but things do seem to be picking up on the pitch.
Manager Avram Grant oversaw his first victory since taking the reins when strikes from Hermann Hreidarsson and Aruna Dindane helped seal a 2-0 home victory against Burnley last weekend.
But the Israeli will be looking to halt a disappointing run of away form which has seen them earn just four points away from Fratton Park this season.
Sunderland have not been beaten at the Stadium of Light since their opening home match of the season but have seen a dip in away form with successive 1-0 defeats by Wigan and Fulham.
Boss Steve Bruce will be looking for a repeat of the corresponding fixture last season which saw Kenwyne Jones' strike secure a 1-0 triumph.
Team news
Portsmouth goalkeeper David James has recovered from his recent calf injury and looks set to return in place of Asmir Begovic.
Younes Kaboul is also back after serving a one-match ban against Burnley, while Papa Bouba Diop could make his first appearance since August as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring problem.
Black Cats boss Bruce is keeping his fingers crossed that full-back George McCartney will be fit to feature after sitting last weekend with a hamstring strain.
Phil Bardsley and Kieran Richardson, who occupied the full-back berths at Craven Cottage, are both suspended, while Craig Gordon (broken arm), Anton Ferdinand (ankle), John Mensah (calf), Lee Cattermole (medial ligament) and Bolo Zenden (hamstring) are all on the sidelines.
Bruce will be forced to use the depth of his squad and has drafted in 18-year-old striker Ryan Noble after his FA Youth Cup hat-trick on Monday.
Possible starting XIs
Sunderland Fulop, Nosworthy, Turner, Da Silva, McCartney, Malbranque, Henderson, Cana, Reid, Bent, Jones
Portsmouth James, Finnan, Hreidarsson, Kaboul, Brown, O'Hara, Yebda, Boateng, Wilson, Dindane, Smith
