Pompey head to Middlesbrough this weekend and there will almost be as much interest in what happens at 2pm as 3pm.

That's when the Blues team news will be revealed and fans will be fascinated to see which of the week's new signings will be involved.

In the past week, Pompey have added the significant trio of Abdoulaye Kamara, Nicolas Schmid and Harvey Blair to their ranks and it adds plenty of competition for places.

Kamara would seem the most likely to come straight into the side, perhaps bound for a midfield role - especially with Marlon Pack doubtful after a big bump to the head last weekend - but fans have been wondering whether Schmid would have been recruited if John Mousinho did not see him as his No1 longer term.

Pompey have held their own in their opening two Championship games and don't need to rush into making changes but nevertheless the manager will not want to waste time before he gets what he sees as his strongest starting XI on the pitch.

The manager looked ahead to the Boro clash by saying Pompey were happy with how they were adapting to life at the higher level.

He told the club media: 'We’re feeling positive after the opening week of the season and getting a couple of points on the board against top opposition. It’s a good sign of where this group’s at that we were disappointed not to get more than a draw against Luton.

'There’s also plenty happening off the pitch and so the feeling is good ahead of a tough game at Middlesbrough. They’re a really strong team and finished last season very well – they’re certainly one of the promotion favourites this time round.

'I think they’ve strengthened over the summer – an example for that is that they were willing to let Sammy (Silvera) come to us on loan – and appear to be going for it. They were excellent on the opening day against Swansea and then blew Leeds away at Elland Road in the cup, while they were unlucky not to come away with something against Derby.'

Mousinho said skipper Pack was a doubt, while Tom McIntyre was about a week away from returning to full training and Kusini Yengi could be ready to return next weekend, when Pompey host Sunderland.

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