Whatmough: Scrutiny can prevent my Portsmouth absence

The central defender was an impressive presence once again as Pompey won 3-1 at Rochdale on Saturday.

It represented a return to the team following four matches sidelined by a hamstring injury.

Whatmough had started the campaign strongly, establishing himself ahead of Christian Burgess to partner Matt Clarke in defence.

Now he's reclaimed his spot '“ and hoping to avoid any more injury bumps during the season's progress.

Ahead of tonight's Coventry clash, he said: '˜I had a few weeks out with my hamstring. The timing could have been a bit quicker but I fell ill, so my recovery was delayed a little bit.

'˜I don't know whether it was food poisoning or a virus, I couldn't really work it out, but I had to stay away from training for 24 hours post-symptom so I didn't pass it on.

'˜My injuries have been big ones and then I got the muscle injury at the end of last year, which I was bound to pick up after being out so long to then play nine consecutive games.

'˜This one (hamstring) was just a little one, nothing too major.

'˜But I'm in that situation where if I'm feeling something I cannot just go through it because it can lead to something more, which I've seen in the past.

'˜So I have to be a bit more careful within myself and monitor what I am doing a bit more '“ but I'm feeling good and feeling fit.'