Pompey have put in plenty of miles in recent weeks - with no reward from any of their road trips - and the manager, players and fans will be delighted to see the next run of five games include four at home.

What's more, those four come in the space of 15 days - giving the Blues a chance to grab vital points if they can keep up the sort of Fratton form that's brought 13 points out of 15 in the past couple of months.

Middlesbrough are Saturday's visitors to PO4, followed by Stoke next Wednesday. After a trip to WBA on Saturday 25, Pompey then host Millwall and Burnley the following Tuesday and Saturday.

Boss John Mousinho is relishing the run, telling the club's official website: 'It’s really pleasing to have a lot of home games coming up because our form has been really good. We’re looking forward to being back at Fratton Park again and it does feel like it’s been an absolute age.

'It’s not nice having to do that much travelling and I feel for our supporters more than anyone, especially because we haven’t been able to reward them for their backing. We’re perhaps still licking our wounds a bit from Wednesday (at Blackburn), but have to get over that quickly because it’s a busy schedule.

'There’s an opportunity for us to try to get back out of the relegation zone and there will be pressure, but I think that’s there in every game. We know there are no ‘gimmes’ at this level and we’ll have to be ready to face an excellent Boro side.'

Paddy Lane is out for the weekend after picking up a knee injury at Ewood Park while Christian Saydee is a doubt - that's in addition to the numerous longer-term casualties.

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