Fratton Park derby plans rocked by 'worst injury crisis in 10 years'

Pompey's south coast derby preparations have been devastated by the worst injury crisis Jay Sadler has ever experienced.

- by Neil Allen

Southampton visit Fratton Park on Sunday (2pm) in the Women's Super League 2 - just four days after they defeated the Blues in the League Cup at Eastleigh's Silverlake Stadium.

A severely-depleted Pompey side were missing nine players for Wednesday's 1-0 group stage loss, while could name just four subs.

Sadler will give late fitness tests to Angelina Nixon and Greta Humphries ahead of kickoff, yet is braced to once again have just 15 players at his disposal - including two goalkeepers and two Academy players.

He believes it's the worst injury situation he has known during his 10 years in charge - and the timing is also lousy considering the importance of the fixture.

He told The News: 'I cannot remember having so many players unavailable - and it has been a struggle.