Early team news: both Pompey and Oxford report clean bill of health for crunch play-off clash

Pompey have avoided picking up any new injury concerns this week going into the Oxford United showdown.
Pompey striker Ellis Harrison.  Picture: Habibur RahmanPompey striker Ellis Harrison.  Picture: Habibur Rahman
Pompey striker Ellis Harrison. Picture: Habibur Rahman

That means manager Kenny Jackett will have a full quota of players to chose from, with the Blues boss deliberately working with 24 players for the play-off campaign.

Striker Ellis Harrison had a slight back problem but is fully fit for the game and will vie to lead the line with top-scorer John Marquis.

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Jackett has also been boosted by midfielder Bryn Morris being back in action after a nightmare year of injury issues.

The Pompey boss will be without one player, however, who is opting out of training as is his prerogative as part of government guidelines for elite sport's return.

Brett Pitman also continues to maintain his fitness away from the group – but Jackett has stressed he would have problem calling on the forward if needed.

Oxford manager Karl Robinson will be without former Pompey loanee, George Thorne, who dislocated his shoulder last year and continues to be troubled by injury problems.

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The U’s are hopeful Rob Hall will be available after returning from a loan spell with Forest Green, while the same applies for Jamie Mackie and Feyenoord loanee Liam Kelly over short-term contract extensions.

Otherwise, Robinson will have his strongest possible squad to select from, including striker Matty Taylor who’s looking to build on a run of six goals in five games.

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