Stone misses Boro trip

Steve Stone is still out of the Portsmouth squad with an Achilles problem for Sunday’s trip to Middlesbrough but skipper Arjan de Zeeuw may make a surprise return after missing five games through a knee injury.

Manager Harry Redknapp, facing three games in seven days including Tuesday’s home Carling Cup tie with Leeds and next Saturday’s visit of Manchester United, has allowed defender John Curtis to return to Preston for another month on loan and may give Dutchman de Zeeuw a place on the bench at the Riverside.