Pompey play it safe with Chaplin

The Blues striker will sit out of today’s clash with Yeovil with a ligament strain.

But Danny Hollands has boosted Paul Cook’s squad with a return to training.

Chaplin will definitely miss out, however, as he is given time to recover from his injury.

The striker has shown his desire to play on with the issue, as he illustrates his hunger to be involved.

But the Pompey staff are erring on the side of caution with the 19-year-old.

A return against Barnet on Tuesday is not out of the question.

Cook explained they have to manage Chaplin’s eagerness to play his part for the Blues.

He said: ‘Conor misses today’s game. He’s no good for Yeovil.

‘He’ll try to make Tuesday, but is touch and go for it.

‘He kicked the floor and the ligaments in his ankle and lower hip blew up.

‘It’s not bad. He wants to train and play.

‘He’s dying to play.

‘Last week he came on with the game won and he ran around like a lunatic.

‘He wanted to score 10 goals in eight minutes!’

Hollands has made a speedy recover after breaking his leg at Ipswich last month.

The 30-year-old has been out for six weeks after fracturing his fibula at Portman Road.

He stepped up his recovery with a return to training this week.

Yeovil will arrive too soon for the former Charlton man.

However, Cook said he will up his intensity after the weekend.

‘Danny Hollands is getting closer,’ added the manager.

‘Danny has had a week’s training under his belt. So we’ll look at building him up next week.’