Caolan Lavery out of Pompey cup clash

Caolan Lavery has been ruled out of Pompey’s FA Cup tie with Macclesfield Town.
Caolan Lavery. Picture: Joe PeplerCaolan Lavery. Picture: Joe Pepler
Caolan Lavery. Picture: Joe Pepler

Parent club Sheffield Wednesday have instructed they do not want the on-loan striker to be cup-tied.

As a result, he is unavailable for Saturday’s first round fixture against the non-leaguers.

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That will open the door for Matt Tubbs to potentially return to the side, unless Adam McGurk is moved back into the lone striking role he has previously occupied this season.

Conor Chaplin could also come into the equation having netted twice for the reserves in a 4-2 victory over Crawley in the week, in addition to five first-team goals this season.

Meanwhile, Matt Clarke has been granted permission by Ipswich to feature against the Silkmen.

He has been an unused substitute in Pompey’s last four matches having been dislodged from the starting line-up by Adam Webster.

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Elsewhere, Gary Roberts again misses out as he continues to rest his ankle problem.

While Rommy Boco is battling to declare himself available after missing the defeat at Notts County with a grade one hamstring tear.

First-team coach Ian Foster said: ‘Boco wasn’t in the squad for last weekend through injury and wasn’t available for the reserves on Tuesday.

‘His training has been stepped up and he was running on Tuesday, so I don’t think there are many days between him returning to training now.

‘I don’t know if he is available for Saturday, though.

‘He hasn’t trained with the group yet, ordinarily a player would have to train on the Thursday before a match for him to be up for selection.

‘So I am not sure at this stage.’