Ritchie ‘has to step up in Portsmouth v Preston’ as huge injury blow confirmed
Portsmouth winger Matt Ritchie has the perfect chance to prove himself against Preston on Saturday.
Pompey are preparing for a trip to Deepdale on 15 March with a view to bouncing back from a defeat against Plymouth last time out.
A late Adil Aouchiche wasn’t enough to inspire John Mousinho’s side to take any points from Fratton Park in a disappointing night’s work.
Now attentions turn to a trip to Lancashire where Ritchie will be looking to take advantage of a Lilywhites injury concern.
Ritchie must prove himself v Preston
The south coast side sit just two points behind Paul Heckingbottom’s side in the Championship so this game represents an excellent chance to rise up the table.
With that being said, everyone will have to be on top form to help extend the gap from the relegation zone of the second tier.
After only scoring one against Plymouth at Fratton Park, Mousinho will want to get more out of his side, especially in forward areas.
Ritchie will be a specific ace he wants to see more from, but that could have been made easier after the latest injury update emerging from Deepdale.
Speaking to the Sunderland Echo (14 March), Heckingbottom has confirmed that versatile midfielder Brad Potts has picked up an injury which will rule him out of the clash against Pompey.
He told: “Yeah, Pottsy felt his hamstring – did it sprinting – and obviously, he was aware that was our last change. He’s going to be missing at the weekend. I don’t know how long it will be.”
Ritchie can take advantage of Potts absence
The 30-year-old has the capability to feature as a midfielder or as a wing-back which could have seen him operating against Ritchie.
If that had been the case, the physicality and athleticism of the Englishman could have proved to be too much for the winger who has struggled in recent weeks.
The former Bournemouth man has gone three games without a goal and will be keen to change that in a trip to Deepdale.
| Stat | Matt Ritchie v Plymouth |
| Touches | 27 |
| Passes | 14 |
| Accurate crosses | 0 |
| Shots | 0 |
| Duels lost | 3 |
It will certainly be interesting to see if the 35-year-old can take advantage of the Preston man’s absence to find his form for his boyhood club.
If he can, there is every chance that the Fratton Park club can take all three points and look up the table rather than down.