Quartet return for Pompey

Posted Saturday, October 31, 2009 by PA

Portsmouth welcome back Kevin-Prince Boateng, Jamie O'Hara, Mike Williamson and Tommy Smith for the Barclays Premier League match at home to Wigan.

The quartet were cup-tied for Tuesday's Carling Cup win over Stoke.

Papa Bouba Diop (hamstring) and Hermann Hreidarsson (foot tendon) are still recovering and will not feature against the Latics.

Midfielder Michael Brown is keen to see his side clear the relegation zone altogether, rather than just move off the bottom.

Victory over his old club Wigan at Fratton Park could be enough to lift the South Coast club away from the foot of the table.

Paul Hart's team has taken just four points from their opening 10 games and are currently five adrift of 17th-placed Wolves.

While three points against the Latics would give Pompey a massive morale boost in their quest for survival, Brown is determined to use it as a stepping stone to safety.

He said: "To me, it's just another step closer to fourth bottom. I think that's where I'm aiming.

"Whether we're bottom, second bottom or third bottom doesn't matter to me. It's about bridging that gap to fourth bottom and we need some valuable points towards getting that.

"There is a long way to go. We are five points behind and there are 20-odd games to go.

"So we're far from adrift and there are some big games to come - Blackburn, Stoke and Wigan on Saturday as well.

"There are some great games against teams around us and that is where we have to do well."

Wigan will be without Maynor Figueroa as he recovers from a knee injury.

The Honduran full-back is expected to be sidelined for up to seven weeks after suffering the setback in the victory against Burnley.

Paul Scharner is doubtful with a hamstring injury while goalkeeper Chris Kirkland remains troubled by a dislocated finger.

The Latic manager Roberto Martinez is looking to put a difficult week behind him by securing a victory at Fratton Park.

Martinez felt obliged to phone Sir Alex Ferguson to explain remarks attributed to him in a Spanish newspaper - and the Manchester United boss said the matter had been resolved.

He also contacted Steve Bruce, Sam Allardyce and Rafael Benitez after they were all implicated in the article.

On top of that striker Marlon King was jailed for 18 months after being convicted of sexual assault and actual bodily harm which led to him being sacked by the club.

Wigan arrive at Fratton Park on a good run of form with seven points from four games, with the only blip coming against Hull.

Martinez said: "I have plenty of work on my hands as I am only 10 games into being a Premier League manager.

"I will carry on doing what I can as I want Wigan fans to enjoy our football.

"We want to continue the level of performance we have given against Chelsea, Manchester City and Burnley. Even though we were beaten at Hull there were some good aspects to our game.

"We are beginning to get some consistency but we know it will be a different challenge and a different environment entirely on Saturday."