Portsmouth at full strength for FA Cup trip to Bristol City

The Blues confirmed today that no-one from the club returned a positive coronavirus result following a round of testing on Monday and Tuesday.

Meanwhile, manager Kenny Jackett has no new injury concerns going into Sunday’s game at Ashton Gate.

Pompey have been out of action since beating Hull 2-0 on December 18, with two games over the festive period cancelled because of a Covid-19 outbreak in the first-team ranks.

Last weekend’s trip to Accrington was called off due to a frozen pitch at the Wham Stadium.

And that has allowed Lee Brown, the Blues’ only injury concern, to make a full recovery from the hamstring injury he sustained at Ipswich on December 12.

The defender is expected to walk straight back into the Pompey starting XI, especially with Cam Pring now back at parent club Bristol City following his Fratton Park loan spell.

Given Pompey’s recent lay-off, Jackett is expected to go strong for the visit to Ashton Gate.

That means Jack Whatmough – one of five Blues players to test positive for coronavirus after the Hull game – is likely to retake his place in the centre of defence.

He missed the win at the KCOM Stadium after displaying Covid symptoms pre-match, but is likely to return to the side at the expense of Rasmus Nicolaisen.

Jordy Hiwula is also expected to be on the bench, despite signing a new deal at Fratton Park this week.

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