Pompey assess Gary Roberts injury

POMPEY are assessing the full extent of Gary Roberts’ ankle injury.
Gary Roberts Picture: Joe PeplerGary Roberts Picture: Joe Pepler
Gary Roberts Picture: Joe Pepler

The influential Blues midfielder was forced off at half-time in Saturday’s victory over Barnet.

His substitution came following a heavy challenge by Sam Togwell in the game’s opening moments, hampering the 31-year-old for the remainder of the half.

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In his absence, Paul Cook switched to a 3-5-2 formation to inspire Pompey to a 3-1 success – a result that moved them up to third in the League Two table.

The Blues medical team are continuing to cast their eye over Roberts.

And assistant manager Leam Richardson is keeping his fingers crossed the outcome won’t be severe.

He said: ‘It was a tackle on Gary over on the far side early into the match and initially it looked a bad tackle, a bad challenge.

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‘Whether the referee missed it or not I am not sure, but Gary will dust himself down, he won’t want to be out for a long time.

‘He rolled his ankle, but Gary wants to be on the pitch playing, so we will see what happens.’

Roberts has been ever-present in Pompey’s League Two campaign so far, scoring three goals.

The Blues head to eighth-placed Oxford United on Saturday for another tough away examination.

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Meanwhile, the Bees clash saw Brian Murphy retain his place in goal despite having been troubled by a groin problem.

The keeper had to be substituted at half-time against Accrington and only returned to training 24 hours before the visit of Barnet.

Richardson added: ‘Brian is carrying it a little bit of a knock but is desperate to play.

‘He has been okay in his testing and wants to play so wasn’t really that much of a risk.’