Stevenage V Portsmouth at The Lamex Stadium - Match Preview




Akins back for Stevenage

Lucas Akins returns to the Stevenage squad for the visit of Portsmouth in the FA Cup first round.


Akins has completed a three-match ban after he was sent off at Walsall last month and could come straight back into the starting line-up.


But fellow forward Darius Charles (ankle) remains on the sidelines along with defenders David Gray (knee) and Ben Chorley (calf).


Midfielder Dean Parrett could make his full debut, having made two substitute appearances since joining Boro last month, after building up his fitness with a run-out for the reserves in midweek.


Portsmouth will check on Tom Craddock and Marcos Painter.


Striker Craddock is edging closer to fitness after a knee injury and left-back Painter hopes to shake off a calf problem.


Veteran frontman David Connolly returned from a five-game absence due to calf and Achilles problems as a substitute against Exeter last weekend so he could start alongside ex-Boro forward Patrick Agyemang.


Millwall loanee John Marquis, who was left out of the squad against Exeter, is ineligible as the Lions do not want him cup-tied.


Source: PA

Source: PA