Defiant Tom Naylor's fitness warning to Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett

Pompey’s skipper is adamant he doesn’t require removing from the firing line to cope with the gruelling fixture schedule.

The Blues tonight face Rochdale, with Arsenal visiting Fratton Park in the FA Cup’s fifth round on Monday evening.

Naylor has already made 40 appearances this term and, with Jackett suggesting he will again rotate his squad, may be a consideration for a rest.

But the influential midfielder has already made his feelings known to the Blues manager on that particular issue.

Naylor said: ‘I’ve played a lot of games, but that’s what I am here to do.

‘I am here to play football – and I love it.

‘I’ve told the manager that if he rests me I won’t be very happy!

‘It’s his decision at the end of the day. We have three or four to chose from, with Bryn (Morris) coming back into the fold as well, so that’s another midfielder to come.

‘Towards the end of last season, everyone saw we did get tired, we didn’t have the biggest squad, but that’s football.

‘We have got it this season, however. Even though we didn’t start well, I would rather start like that than we did last so we can push on at the end with fresh legs coming in.

‘I don’t get injuries, the body is feeling good. Even when I had the slight strain in my hamstring, I was back within 10 days to two weeks.’