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I'm ready to cover Pompey striker shortage

Kal Naismith will be happy to oblige if he is asked to solve Pompey's striking injury crisis by playing up front for the rest of the season.

Eoin Doyle's groin problem has now ruled him out of the rest of the Blues' campaign, while Noel Hunt will discover soon when he will be fit to return after sustaining a dislocated shoulder at Hartlepool.

That leaves the likes of Conor Chaplin and Nicke Kabamba hoping for a call into the forward line - but after using Naismith in the role at Victoria Park, boss Paul Cook may stick with the Scot in the advanced position, starting with Saturday's home clash with Yeovil.

Naismith told the Pompey website: 'I wasn’t surprised and I have played up there before. When my role is just off the striker then I’m usually up there most of the time anyway.

'The gaffer doesn’t want you dropping back too much because we’re a team that likes to play on the front foot, so it wasn’t too much of a change.I’ve never really had a set position and I seem to play everywhere, but I’m happy to go wherever I’m needed.'

Naismith was delighted to net another goal - his 11th of the season - at Hartlepool and says it reflects his fine run of recent form.

He told the club site: ''When you’re in a good run of form those things just seem to drop for you. Enda got down the left as he does in every game and I managed to be in the right place at the right time.

'The ball skidded in a bit, so it’s important to just keep your concentration and thankfully I got a good contact. The boys have been brilliant, but Hartlepool also played really well, so we’re really happy with the result and the clean sheet.

'It’s never going to be easy for the full 90 minutes, although I don’t think David Forde had too much to do because of the way we defended as a team.'

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