Pompey attacking trio poised to return

The trio have missed the Blues’ last two matches through injuries collected against Barnet.

However, they today returned to training ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stevenage.

Paul Cook is desperate to add more striking power to his bench, with only Conor Chaplin and Marc McNulty to choose from in the trio’s absence.

Top-scorer Chaplin has already been declared available having come off against Exeter on Tuesday night.

Now, potentially, McGurk, Roberts and Smith could return to the squad for the Lamex Stadium trip.

And Cook will continue to assess their fitness in training tomorrow.

He said: ‘The three of them are ready to come back in if they can come through training.

‘The disappointing thing is over the last few games we haven’t really had forward options on the bench.

‘I wanted to put more forwards on against Exeter, we have to get after teams sometimes, but there wasn’t anyone.

‘We could have put Kal Naismith up front or possibly Ben Tollitt, but you are taking big gambles, big risks.

‘It’s about balance, the strikers needed help in that game.

‘Individually, Conor and Marc McNulty are great players, but they needed help and we couldn’t give them it.’

McGurk (back) trained on Exeter’s pitch before kick-off, but Smith (calf) and Roberts (hamstring) were not involved.