O’Brien set for longer spell on sidelines

PORTSMOUTH defender Andy O’Brien is losing his fight to return for the vital home clash with Wigan amid fears his knee injury could be worse than first anticipated.

The centre-half visited a specialist after suffering more pain in the joint and Pompey physio Gary Sadler, who suspects lateral ligament damage, said: “It’s hard to predict when he’ll be back. He has some bone bruising and swelling.”

Manager Alan Perrin said: “By last Wednesday we thought Andy would be all right to play at Sunderland but the next day the injury had flared up again.”