Portsmouth travel to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday knowing a win will secure their place in the Championship for the 2024/25 campaign.
John Mousinho’s side sit eight points clear of Derby County in second place and nine points clear of the Trotters in third.
Blues fans are now looking ahead to what could be a memorable trip to the Toughsheet Stadium on Saturday.
Ian Evatt’s men are in desperate need of a victory to keep their slim chance of automatic promotion alive.
Pompey have the best away record in the division, whilst Bolton have the best at home. The fixture is tantalising in so many ways.
One of the key storylines from Pompey’s 2-0 win over Bolton earlier in the season centred around Ricardo Santos.
The Portuguese defender was run ragged by Kusini Yengi at Fratton Park. However, there’s a chance the 28-year-old won’t feature against the Blues.
‘Serious’ Ricardo Santos update emerges ahead of Portsmouth v Bolton Wanderers on Saturday
According to The Bolton News, Santos’ involvement at the Toughsheet is in serious doubt.
He was forced off during the Trotters’ 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers with a calf issue.
“Santos, the lynchpin of his manager’s defence for four seasons, has struggled to completely rid himself of a calf problem picked up at Blackpool in January,” they wrote.
“Aggravated by the heavy pitch at the Memorial Stadium, there are now serious question marks over his involvement against Portsmouth.”
Bolton Wanderers have one more injury concern ahead of Portsmouth clash
Another concern for Evatt is Josh Sheehan’s fitness. The tidy midfielder is a vital cog in the Trotters’ system.
However, the Welshman has suffered a “slight” hamstring issue recently, which has forced him off in Bolton’s last three matches.
Without Santos or Sheehan, there’s a golden opportunity for Mousinho’s side to make Saturday the day they finally secure their League One exit.
The Pompey boss will see his squad bolstered with Callum Lang potentially returning.