Portsmouth to miss out on Gary Roberts reunion but other familiar faces return for Wigan visit

The League Two title winner is sidelined with a hamstring issue, which is likely to keep him sidelined for six weeks.

That’s put paid to hopes of seeing Roberts at Fratton Park once again in Wigan colours tomorrow, following 80 appearances in a memorable two-year stay with the Blues.

That means Kal Naismith and Viv Solomon-Otabor are likely to be the only players with Pompey connections involved. Former assistant manager Leam Richardson, physio Andy Procter and head of performance Nick Meace are still at the club.

Latics boss John Sheridan told Wigan’s official site: ‘He (Roberts) is doing okay. It's a shame to get an injury like this, I believe he had a bit of a hamstring problem last year as well.

‘It's going to probably keep him out for around six weeks. We'll just have to assess him and see how it goes. Hopefully he'll be back because he's great to have about the place.

‘I don't know Robbo as a person, but he just loves football, doesn't he? I've always loved him as a player, when he's played against my teams I always gave him some stick to put him off his game, he'll tell you that himself. He's an excellent player.’

Wigan will be able to call on Gavin Massey tomorrow, with the attacking talent fit again.

Sheridan sees the games as one the Latics can emerge successful from

He added: ‘Portsmouth will be strong and organised; they haven’t let too many goals in but at the same time haven’t scored too many at the start of the season.

‘Kenny Jackett’s sides are always well organised so it will be a tough game.

‘It is one of those grounds that you want to go to as a player; it will be different without supporters and not the same atmosphere.‘It is a winnable game; they’re after their first win and we’re after our first win so I just want us to concentrate on how we can affect the game and we’ll go in hoping and believing we can win.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The News has launched a new subscription offer which gives you unlimited access to all of our Pompey coverage.

You can subscribe here to get the latest updates from Fratton Park, transfer news and expert analysis from our team of Pompey writers.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism on your behalf for our city.