Covid robbed Gavin Bazunu of the chance to appear for Ireland in the international break - but he is fit to face Bolton as Pompey bounce back into League One action on Tuesday night after a 17-day break.

Bazunu was one of the players whose call-ups led to the original date with the Trotters last week being called off, but he could not win another cap after a positive Covid test. But he will be between the sticks as the Blues begin a hectic run for their final eight games which will come in the space of 26 days.

Bazunu told the club website: 'We’ve had a few days of training now and there was real intensity to the work we’ve been doing. It’s been a while since the last game and we’ve had to build back up again, so we’re looking forward to facing Bolton.

'We had a detailed look at them over the weekend and know that they’ll be difficult opponents to face. There’s an eight-game finish to the season now and we’re splitting that into blocks of five and three matches.

'We’re going to focus on these next few fixtures now and after these two on the road, we’ve got a lot at home. We just want to collect as many points as we can — starting at Bolton and Cheltenham — and then see where that takes us.

'It was very frustrating for me not to be able to play because it’s always an honour to represent my country. But I’m just relieved to be back feeling fully fit again and now I’m available to play and help Pompey.'

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