Pompey's leading scorer set to miss Coventry clash

Last updated : 01 December 2011 By Covsupport News Service/RD

Coventry City travel to Portsmouth on Saturday in their latest quest for points knowing that they will not face Pompey's leading scorer Luke Varney.

Varney failed a fitness test last week and his grade one hamstring tear has not healed in time for the Coventry game.

Portsmouth manager Michael Appleton said: "Luke’s hamstring is not too bad, he is progressing well, but I think this weekend is a little bit too quick for him.

‘It’s a grade one hamstring tear and one of those where he could be out for a couple of weeks. We’ve already had a week, so we are now looking at Burnley.

‘Luke had a fitness test before the Leicester game, but it would have been a risk playing him and could have kept him out longer. It was the right decision. Luke is an important player and we don’t want any set-backs."

Appleton will also be without the services of his experienced midfielder and club captain Liam Lawrence who has ankle ligament damage.

Lawrence has returned to training but is not yet ready to play.

Appleton said, "This weekend will also be too soon for Liam. He has come back onto the training field, which is encouraging, but has yet to do any ball work with the players. That may change tomorrow, but he won’t be ready to feature against Coventry so again we’re looking at next week."

Richard Wood is likely to play in place of the injured defender Cyrus Christie who is unlikely to be fit to travel to the south coast. Christie pulled up with a calf problem last week at Brighton and was replaced by Wood.

The 26 year old Wood told the CT, “It was nice to get on and get a few more minutes on the pitch. I just can’t wait to start and try to get back in the team. I have been working hard and hopefully I will get my chance soon.

Wood was the subject of a loan enquiry from Chesterfield last week, but was turned down by the City boss Andy Thorn.

“There’s good competition and that’s what we need in the team. I saw the stories linking me with Chesterfield but I have just got to keep working hard and see what happens. I have got to work hard in training and do bits of extra stuff to make sure I stay fit.

"I got half a game at Brighton and hopefully the manager will think I have taken my chance and hopefully I can get a run now. That’s all I want. It’s weird me not playing because whenever I have been fit in my career I have always played.

"I have struggled with a few injuries this season but I am fit and I just want to get in the team.”