Pompey suffer Rodgers injury blow

An MRI scan yesterday revealed the experienced striker has a tear in his left thigh.

It means Michael Appleton is facing the prospect of losing Rodgers for six matches.

That leaves the Blues boss with Izale McLeod as his only senior striker.

Appleton has already lined-up a forward to bolster his strikeforce.

He currently has two spots free in his 18-man squad, although only one arrival is expected.

Head of recruitment Luke Dowling has revealed Pompey would love to recruit two strikers.

But finances continue to dictate otherwise.

Dowling said: ‘We were looking to get a striker in anyway but, obviously, it now makes it even more important with Luke being out.

‘In an ideal world it would be nice to get a couple of strikers in but we have got two spots with only one lot of money.

‘We sent Conor Clifford back and Kevin Long back – but have only got Long’s money to play with.

‘Chelsea did us a great favour and let us have Conor for nothing – they paid his wages.

‘So we are not gaining anything there to go and spend somewhere else.

‘We need to pull another rabbit out of the hat and try to get a favour from someone.’

Josh Thompson is expected to be fit for Saturday’s visit of Scunthorpe, despite a hamstring concern.

Alex Grant, however, is likely to be sidelined for another four weeks, having picked up a medial knee ligament tear last month.

Meanwhile, former Pompey favourite Ricardo Rocha is currently on a week-long trial at Ipswich.

The Portuguese failed to have his Fratton contract renewed at the end of last season.