Pompey's FA Cup draw with Ipswich may leave Matt Clarke thinking someone somewhere doesn't like him.

Having come back into the starting XI for the second-round win over Accrington, Clarke can be pretty sure he won't feature at the next stage - as the game is against his parent club.

Clarke spoke of his delight at getting his starting spot back against Stanley and said he had no complaints about his recent spell on the bench.

Speaking before Pompey were drawn to face Ipswich for the third time in 11 seasons at the same stage, the defender told the Pompey website: 'It’s obviously nice to get out there again. It’s been a while, but that’s football — sometimes you have to wait your turn and be patient.

'I was always ready. I’ve had a few reserve games and have been training hard to make sure of that. Of course it’s frustrating when you’re not playing, but the other two central defenders have plenty of quality, so there were no hard feelings.

'Obviously I’d like to stay in the side for the next game, although that’s a decision for the manager to make.'

He said of the 1-0 win: 'It was scrappy throughout, with a lot of free-kicks and plenty of stoppages in play. We had the chances to finish Accrington off and it was more nervous than it should have been near the end. But the important thing is that we’re through to the next round and we’re happy with that.'

Pompey host Hartlepool on Saturday.

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