John Marquis is suspended for the next three games after his sending off at Shrewsbury last weekend. Pompey’s appeal of the red card failed.
Meanwhile, Ellis Harrison is out for the rest of the season and Jordy Hiwula’s third-tier campaign also looks over.
Danny Cowley, therefor, must come up with the solution to deliver the Blues three points.
Options to spearhead the attack include Ronan Curtis, Ryan Williams, Marcus Harness and teenager Alfie Stanley.
Here’s how we expect Pompey to line-up against the Dale and who’s likely to be on the bench at Fratton Park...
![The Scot is aiming for a 13th league clean sheet of the season.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjc3MmJiMzk3LWVhZTAtNDEzMS1iNDgzLTk5OTFiN2UwY2RjZDphOGU4ODJkNC04YzIxLTQ0MjEtYjQ2NC0wNDQxNTVkMDBkNjk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
1. Goalkeeper - Craig MacGillivray
The Scot is aiming for a 13th league clean sheet of the season. Photo: PinPeP
![Made his return from injury against Shrewsbury last week and one very much certain to keep is spot.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmExNTdkNDZlLTY4OTQtNGY0Ny1iNDYzLWIzZTdjZmZjZjc3Zjo5ZDQ3ODlmNy01OTUxLTRlY2EtYWNkOS1lNWJhYzlhZmJkNzU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
2. Right-back - Callum Johnson
Made his return from injury against Shrewsbury last week and one very much certain to keep is spot. Photo: Joe Pepler
![Started the Cowleys' opening two matches and there seems little reason why that will change after two wins.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjZmODgzNjgyLTkwYjMtNGJiNi1iMDUyLTgzOTJiZmMxMGFkYTo1NzFkY2QwZC0xZTM5LTQ1MzItYmQ2OC1hZGQzNTQzOTJlZTk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
3. Centre-back - Jack Whatmough
Started the Cowleys' opening two matches and there seems little reason why that will change after two wins. Photo: Jason Brown
![Little reason why he also will be dropped after two wins.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjc5OGNhMGZiLTRiZjMtNDkxZi1hNWY3LTIyOTBhMzdiMjZjMTphZWQ5NDUzNy1jMzdhLTQ4ODktYmQxOC0wY2M1MjIwZTQxOTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
4. Centre-back - Sean Raggett
Little reason why he also will be dropped after two wins. Photo: Joe Pepler