Cook's verdict on new Dons date

The Blues boss feels the timing of the game in hand over their rivals works in his team’s favour.

Last month’s clash with the Dons fell foul of Storm Katie, as a waterlogged pitch at Kingsmeadow saw the clash postponed. That date has now been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 26 - the 44th of Pompey’s 46 league fixtures.

Under Football League rules, postponed games have to be played at the earliest available opportunity.

An earlier spot has not been easy to find with Wimbledon ground sharing with Kingstonian, and their playing surface under strain.

It means Pompey now face the Dons trip ahead of the gruelling trek to Hartlepool.

Cook, however, is not concerned about when the new date of the game falls.

He reckons having a clear picture of the club’s fate at that stage will be useful.

Cook said: ‘Kingstonian play at the same ground, so the likelihood is the pitch wouldn’t have got attention before (last) Tuesday.

‘That would have made it a difficult game for us.

‘If we put it back a period of time we’d have played equal games taking in the likes of the Plymouth and Dagenham games.

‘By the tine we get to Wimbledon we’ll know our fate, good or bad.

‘We may be looking to beat them to get into the play-offs.

‘Or we might have Portsmouth fans hanging off the roof when go there!

‘Whatever it will be, we’ll know by then.

‘We’ll know by Hartlepool. We may be looking to rest players for the play-offs.

‘I don’t think the fixture being put back to then is a hindrance to us. It’s a help.’

- JORDAN CROSS