BLUES boss Phil Brown will not be rushing Adam Barrett back from his calf injury.

The experienced defender was not selected in the squad for Saturday's game at Portsmouth.

And Brown will not include Barrett until he has regained full fitness.

“I'm not rushing Adam back because I want him to be ready when he does come back in,” said Brown.

“The two young lads in there at the moment are also hanging on to their shirts.

“You look at Portsmouth's strike-force and it wouldn't be easy playing against them but they've done their jobs again.

“There's also real competition there too with Adam, Luke Prosser and Cian Bolger, whose ban has now ended, all pushing for places.”