Trio hand Portsmouth availability boost for trip to Crewe

Central defensive pair Jack Whatmough and Rasmus Nicolaisen are back in contention after being absent for the Blues’ past three games.

Meanwhile, Ben Close is also available following his recovery from a hamstring injury.

The midfielder has been unavailable for the past four matches.

Whatmough returns having served a three-match suspension after picking up a straight red card in the 1-0 defeat to Lincoln last month.

On-loan Dane Nicolaisen is back in the fold after time away following the birth of his daughter.

Gosport-born Whatmough has the best chance of partnering Sean Raggett in the centre of the Blues defence for the trip to Gresty Road.

However, it’s not a certainty, with stand-in James Bolton a notable performer in both players’ absence.

Close might also find it tough to return to the fray, with Tom Naylor and Andy Cannon Jackett’s preferred midfield options, while January loanees George Byers and Harvey White have been utilised from the bench.

Alex Bass (leg), Michael Jacobs (hamstring) and Paul Downing (hamstring) remain out.