Pompey boss: No qualms over Linganzi red

The midfielder was shown a straight red card in Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Cambridge United.

His 61st-minute challenge on Conor Newton was deemed dangerous by referee Ross Joyce, prompting his dismissal.

Linganzi will now miss the Blues’ FA Cup clash with Wycombe and League Two fixtures with Mansfield and Cheltenham.

However, with suspensions not applied to the Checkatrade Trophy, he is available for the visit of Bristol Rovers (November 8).

Michael Doyle is also out of next weekend’s visit of Wycombe, having picked up a fifth booking of the campaign.

However, Cook accepts the punishment handed to Linganzi at the Abbey Stadium.

He said: ‘It’s a straight red, you cannot argue with it, and he will learn from it,

‘Amine is sometimes showing signs of looking like he is going to be a really good player.

‘Other times he is still a little bit lax, but he is doing okay.

‘Danny Rose is a good player and will come in, we have a good squad, we really do.’

Linganzi had started Pompey’s past five matches, adding height to the midfield areas.

His Cambridge dismissal prompted a Pompey reshuffle, with Rose coming off the bench to take the place of Kyle Bennett for the final 29 minutes.

Meanwhile, Curtis Main missed Saturday’s trip with a groin injury, fit-again Noel Hunt coming into the squad.

Cook added: ‘Curtis has a knock. His partner is giving birth, but he is injured as well.’

– NEIL ALLEN