Portsmouth v Colchester - early team news

Pring arrived on a season-long loan from Bristol City last week and came off the bench in the 4-0 friendly win over Gosport Borough.

Johnson, meanwhile, moved to Fratton Park from Accrington for a fee of around £200,000 plus add-ons on Monday and is available for selection.

With the Blues’ League One curtain-rasier against Shrewsbury approaching on Saturday, Kenny Jackett has to decide whether to keep players fresh for that game or give those who might start more match minutes.

The only injury concern for Pompey heading into the Colchester game is Alex Bass. The keeper suffered an ankle setback in the Carabao Cup penalty shootout win over Stevenage last month.

Ellis Harrison (calf) and Reeco Hackett-Fairchild (knee) both played the second half against Gosport, with the latter firing a double in what was an eye-catching display.

Hackett-Fairchild's made just one appearance since arriving from Bromley in January and will be hungry for a chance to impress.

Jackett may also use the game to have one final look at which centre-back pairing will be start against the Shrews.

Paul Downing and Sean Raggett have been the Blues boss’ preferred choice throughout the summer, although Jack Whatmough impressed against AFC Totton and Gosport and is pushing hard.