Pompey head to Southend in fourth place - a scenario that would have seemed far-fetched for mid-February just a few short weeks ago when they went to Roots Hall and won 2-0 in the Checkatrade Trophy.

At that time they were going along nicely in top spot and progressing in two cup competitions. But since, they've chalked up only two draws and three defeats from five league matches and bowed out of the FA Cup.

So it is that this trip to Essex has become a huge one in their efforts to finish in the top two and gain automatic promotion.

They had already slipped behind Luton and Barnsley, before a 2-2 draw for Sunderland at home to Accrington on Friday night put the Black Cats ahead of them on goal difference - though most in Pompey colours would have been heartened to see the Wearsiders take only two points from two home matches that have wiped out their games in hand.

At Roots Hall Pompey must stop worrying about what others are doing and start doing the business themselves again, as they had for most of the season up to their January blip.

Boss Kenny Jackett has plenty of selection dilemmas, not least the question of whether to pump new life into his side by giving starts to the likes of James Vaughan, Lloyd Isgrove or Viv solomon-Otabor.

Jackett reiterated the nature of the division this season was that while Pompey were capable of beating the best sides in it, they could also find teams much further down the table hard nuts to crack.

He told the Pompey website: 'We’re comfortable that we can beat the best in the division, but every side in the league will have their own reasons for wanting to do well. Southend have got a lot of very good players and an experienced manager, so they’ll be doing everything they can to win this game.

'While we know about their strengths and weaknesses, I’m more concerned that we play to our potential and that we can get the most out of our squad.'

Only Jack Whatmough, Andy Cannon and Luke McGee are out injured - everyone else is available for selection.

Follow @Pompey_Fans

Click here to sign up for an account and reserve your username! You can then post on the Forum and add your comments to articles

Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

Portsmouth Polls