Many Pompey fans are fearing the worst as the Blues gear up to take on in-form Ipswich at Fratton Park on Sunday - but boss John Mousinho is putting a brave face on the prospect of the clash.

The Tractor Boys are in flying form, and four wins and a draw in their past six games have seen them climb to second in the table.

Pompey had a nice run of their own - with two wins and two draws between December 13 and 29 - but they looked well short of quality and confidence in losing 5-0 at Bristol City on New Year's Day.

The Blues squad is depleted - with attacking trio Callum Lang, Josh Murphy and Colby Bishop all missing and Marlon Pack now joining them on the sidelines - but Mousinho is upbeat as he assesses what he knows what will be a stiff test of Pompey's ability.

He told the club media: 'Ipswich are an excellent side and have probably two quality players for every position – they’re motoring along right now. There was a decent result at home against Oxford on New Year’s Day, off the back of an excellent display at Coventry.

'It’s a difficult time of year because of the amount of matches in a short space of time, but everyone has to cope with that. Some are doing it better than others and Ipswich are able to make changes right now, while we’re a bit depleted.

'We haven’t quite been able to replicate our performances against the top sides from last season, although our form over the past few weeks – prior to Thursday – has been pretty good. So while we know that we’ll be facing a very good team at Fratton Park, we want to try to attack the game.

'We have to keep hanging in there until we get some of our injured players back and get some reinforcements in during this month.'

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