Naylor believes he can thrive with Portsmouth new boy

The Pompey midfielder reckons the duo's link-up in the middle of park has decent potential.

The pair are in line to play together for a third time in eight days as the Blues aim to maintain their 100-per-cent league record at Doncaster.

Thompson has hit the ground running following his arrival on loan from Millwall for the season.

And Naylor has offered a reassuring presence in front of the back four, starting all of his side's games so far.

The 27-year-old knows the competition is strong but feels he and Thompson have a strong understanding already.

Thompson said: '˜With Gaz (Evans) in front of us Thommo and I can sit.

'˜There's Dion (Donohue) to come back and Closey (Ben Close) who's been involved in the past few games. There's Rosey (Danny Rose) as well so we've plenty of competition there. Hopefully, though, I can keep my shirt and make them fight.

'˜Ben's a young lad who's been at Millwall his whole career. So he's played in the Championship and League One, so it is always nice to play with someone like that.

'˜We've got on quite well so far and it's always nice when you get on with your midfield partner and can blend together and learn from each other.

'˜We spoke in training about how it worked. The gaffer went through it with us as well.

'˜If he went forward a bit I backed him up and if I went a bit forward he backed me up. It worked quite well.'

Naylor is still searching for his first Pompey goal after missing a good chance to break his duck against Oxford last weekend.

The former Burton man could not connect with the ball when well placed in the U's box.

Naylor scored goals in the Championship for the Brewers in the past two seasons, however, and bagged six when last in League One for his old side.

The midfielder's sure he will soon be on the scoresheet.

He added: '˜The chance wouldn't get down for me. I tried to get my head over it, but it's hit my knee before my boot and gone out for a goal kick.

'˜But hopefully I can get into more areas to score goals. If I'm getting into those areas hopefully I can get some goals under my belt. I've had a few goals in the past.

'˜In the Championship I went three in three and then didn't score again. Then last season I did the same again.

'˜It's nice to get the goals but, obviously, it's about the wins.'