Ben Davies sympathy for banned Pompey loanee

The on-loan Sheffield United defender was shown a straight red following a lunge on Northampton Town’s John-Joe O’Toole on Saturday.

The 47th-minute challenge means he must serve an automatic three-match ban for violent conduct – ruling him out of Pompey’s play-off campaign.

Paul Cook’s side went on to lose the Fratton Park encounter 2-1.

Now it is all eyes on the visit of Plymouth Argyle on Thursday night for the first leg.

But Freeman, who has made six appearances for the Blues, will have no more involvement.

Davies, who was named skipper in the absence of Michael Doyle, said: ‘With the amount of injuries at the back you need all hands to the pump and missing Kieron is disappointing.

‘He has come in and done well and was getting fitter.

‘He probably lacked match fitness when he first came.

‘That has improved but now he is going to have another spell on the sidelines.

‘I asked him what he thought of the tackle and he wasn’t too sure.

‘I was over the other side of the pitch, so didn’t have the greatest view myself.

‘I can’t comment about it much.

‘A few of the lads were booked and all of a sudden you start thinking “hang on, we need to be careful”.

‘That’s the risk you run when playing – but we have all come through it apart from Kieron.

‘I really feel for him. They will be absolutely brilliant games as well, sell-outs.

‘They are going to be great occasions, especially if we win them.

‘The gaffer will keep him around us, though. Trying to keep him part of it.’

– NEIL ALLEN