Team news

As you were for Pompey Portsmouth could be unchanged for the visit of Burnley to Fratton Park.

Pompey picked up no new injuries as they beat Hull 2-0 on Tuesday night to record back-to-back home victories.

Luca Scapuzzi is pushing for a full debut, after starting on the bench for the club's last two games since his arrival from Man City.

Fellow City youngster Karim Rekik is likely to keep his place at left-back after impressing on Tuesday night.

Aaron Mokoena is still struggling with an ankle injury, while veteran striker Kanu has yet to get over his back problems.

Out-of-form striker Dave Kitson is set to miss out on the matchday squad for the fifth consecutive game.

Burnley's top scorer Jay Rodriguez remains a major doubt.

The 21-goal striker missed last weekend's 2-2 draw with West Ham after aggravating a hip problem on his return in the defeat at Ipswich last midweek.

With the exception of Rodriguez, boss Eddie Howe has a clean bill of health as his side look to turn around a run of seven npower Championship games without a victory.

When Howe's men last claimed three points against Barnsley on Valentine's Day they still harboured play-off ambitions and the manager feels a long season has got the better of his youthful squad.

He told the Lancashire Telegraph: "From our side we've maybe suffered for having such a small squad and needing to rely on the same players week in, week out, and eventually that does take its toll.

Portsmouth vs Burnley

Last modified 17:47 31/03/12

Clarets in cruise control on south coast Charlie Austin came off the bench to score a second-half hat-trick in a 5-1 victory which leaves Portsmouth deep in the npower Championship relegation mire.

Kieran Trippier opened the scoring for the visitors before David Norris levelled matters and Portsmouth remained on top until the interval, giving little indication of what was to follow.

Danny Ings netted his first goal for the Clarets early in the second half before substitute Austin claimed a quickfire treble - his final two goals coming in stoppage time.

Pompey went into the match buoyed by two consecutive home wins but are now five points from safety with six games remaining.

Their magnificent second-half showing gave Burnley a first win in eight games and Eddie Howe's side remain 16th in the table.

Portsmouth boss Michael Appleton named the same side that beat Hull 2-0 on Tuesday night.

Teenage midfielder Cameron Howieson was named on the bench for Burnley, who were also unchanged.

Following a quiet opening, the game sprung into life when the visitors went in front with 16 minutes gone.

Dean Marney's low corner from the left flank was dummied to Trippier and the full-back sent a sweetly-struck drive into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

Portsmouth's response was swift and clinical. Luke Varney scampered onto George Thorn's searching pass down the right wing and cut the ball across goal for Norris to thump into the roof of the net.

Appleton's men were now on the front foot and Scott Allan fired narrowly over the angle of post and bar after Burnley defender David Edgar carelessly coughed-up possession.

But the Clarets almost took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Ben Mee's strike took a deflection off Tal Ben Haim and forced Jamie Ashdown to make a superb save.

They were back in front two minute after the restart courtesy of Ings' measured glancing header from Edgar's right-wing cross after Portsmouth only half cleared Trippier's corner.

Austin was introduced in the 53rd minute when fellow forward Martin Paterson appeared to suffer a hamstring strain - his latest blow in an injury-hit season.

Varney headed wide from Kelvin Etuhu's cross as Pompey searched for an equaliser, but a staggering collapse followed.

Ross Wallace's 74th minute free-kick caused confusion inside the hosts' penalty area and Austin was on hand with a predatory finish.

Josh McQuoid fired over after a driving run from Ings and Ashdown was forced to palm a goalbound Chris McCann cross to safety before further gloss was added to the scoreline in stoppage time.