SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is confident centre-back Adam Thompson will be fit to face Portsmouth at Roots Hall tomorrow.

The defender missed out on lining up for Northern Ireland’s under 21 team against Serbia on Tuesday night after suffering a calf injury.

But Brown is hopeful Thompson will recover in time to take on Portsmouth.

“Fingers crossed Adam will be fine for Saturday,” said the Blues boss.

“Adam picked up a little bit of a calf strain while he was away training with Northern Ireland’s under 21s.

“He couldn’t play in the game but we assessed him yesterday morning and hopefully he’ll be OK to train today and play tomorrow.”

Mads Ibenfeldt is on standby to replace Thompson if he fails to recover as fellow centre-back Cian Bolger is still out with a thigh strain.

But Brown feels whoever does get selected faces a stern and important test at the back.

“You have to be solid and rigid in defence when you take on Portsmouth because they’re definitely a threat,” said the Shrimpers chief.

“You also have to have the confidence to put the ball in the back of the net when the chances come along and if we put all that together then it’s a winning combination.”

Blues beat Portsmouth 2-1 twice last season and Brown is hoping for more of the same this time around.

A larger than normal crowd is expected at Roots Hall and Brown hopes that can bring the best out of his team who have not won in five games.

“I’m hoping 6,000 of our fans will be there and 1,500 to 2,000 of theirs,” said Brown.

“I want it to bring the best out of our players and the supporters as well.

“It bodes well for a good game because Portsmouth are also a technically good side but there are ways and means of playing against them.”

Brown watched Portsmouth suffer a 2-0 defeat at Burton Albion last weekend.

And he has no idea how they will be lining up at Roots Hall.

“Andy Awford changed their system a few times last week and I haven’t got a clue what formation they will play against us,” said Brown.

“But it’s only five or six years ago that they won the FA Cup and that shows you what a kind of football club we’re taking on.

“They will be thinking they don’t deserve to be in League Two but the bottom line is they are.

“However, this is the beginning of a massive week for us and we want to start it with a win.”

Blues will again be without midfielder Michael Timlin (elbow) and he has now be joined on the sidelines by left-back Ben Coker who also has an elbow injury.