Connolly absence gives Pompey striking headache

And the veteran striker could miss up to two weeks with the hamstring problem he picked up at the weekend.

Connolly was substituted at half-time in the defeat to Colchester on Saturday.

He joined Ricardo Rocha on the sidelines, the defender limping out with an Achilles problem.

Rocha has been given the all-clear to take his place in the squad for the clash with the Iron.

However, the outlook is not so positive over Connolly, one of just two strikers in Guy Whittingham’s squad.

The former Sunderland striker felt a hamstring twinge against the U’s and had to be substituted.

It now appears he will miss more than the Scunthorpe visit as Pompey’s medical team seek to nurse him through it.

It is a massive blow for Whittingham, who is already in the market for a powerful centre forward in a bid to strengthen his striking options.

In addition, James Keene’s loan is up for renewal at the end of the week, with it unclear whether Elfsborg would allow the agreement to be extended.

Keene is the only available striker for Pompey tonight.

However, Whittingham could opt to put Ashley Harris in a striking role, a position he served at Bury for Whittingham’s first match as caretaker manager.

Meanwhile, Liam Walker is pushing for a recall following his impressive cameo in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Colchester.

Another dilemma for Whittingham is who will be his central-defensive partnership.

He opted to rest Gabor Gyepes against the U’s but the Hungarian came on early anyway following Rocha’s Achilles concern.

Now Whittingham must decide whether to keep Sam Sodje in there and, if so, whether Rocha or Gyepes partners him.