Portsmouth midfielder Andy Cannon's ice-cold stance as he prepares to face old side Rochdale for first time

Cannon is set to face Rochdale for the first time since leaving Spotland, as he aims to fire Pompey another win closer to the Championship.

The 23-year-old knows Kenny Jackett’s men will have to overcome one of the division’s most attractive footballing sides if they are to do so.

Brian Barry-Murphy’s side may be fighting for their place in the division but they showed their passing philosophy in the corresponding fixture at Deepdale in November, before an injury-ravaged side succumbed to a 3-0 defeat.

They are currently on the fringes of the relegation battle, as Cannon prepares to take on the side he came through the ranks at and made 127 appearances for across five years - before departing in January last year.

The man who got his maiden Pompey goal on Tuesday in the MK Dons win after his return from three weeks out, knows it will be a tricky assignment against a club he wants to see stay up.

But, ultimately, Cannon's aware it’s promotion points for Pompey which count.

He said: ‘I think they will be similar to how MK played on Tuesday.

‘They are very good at playing the ball and try to do it the right way.

'It’s good to watch and when they do it, it’s good football.

‘I want to see them stay up, definitely.

‘BBM (Barry-Murphy) is a very good guy. He loves his football and he wants to play in a way which is enjoyable to watch.

‘I think he’s doing a good job there. He’ll just need a bit of time to get his recruitment right and he’ll be a very good manager there.

‘But, to be honest, I don’t care about that. It’s pick up the three points and then on to the Arsenal game.’

As well as Barry-Murphy, who succeeded Keith Hill as Rochdale boss last March, Cannon is expecting to see a number of familiar faces as he takes on his former club.

But as much as it he will enjoy being reunited with old team-mates, he has his eyes firmly on the three-point prize.

Cannon added: ‘There’s a few there still.

‘My two mates who I was close with there left last January as well. One went to Preston (Joe Rafferty) and one to Scunthorpe (Harrison McGahey).

‘I still keep in touch with a couple of them, though, and it will be nice to see them all - but I will be focussed on getting the win for us.’