Portsmouth without Matt Tubbs and Gary Roberts for York City clash

Tubbs, who plundered 24 goals last term and has six to his name this term, has always been a scourge of the Minstermen but has missed the last three games due to an ankle problem.

Ex-Chesterfield winger Roberts has been absent for five matches with a similar complaint, while on-loan Bournemouth striker Jayden Stockley, who spent four months at Luton last season, has been out since the start of October with another ankle injury.

Goalkeepers Paul Jones (cruciate) and Michael Poke (shoulder) are also currently sidelined, along with highly-rated teenage defender Jack Whatmough, who suffered cruciate damage back in March.

The injuries have taken their toll on Pompey who, despite remaining fifth in the table, have failed to win any of their last five league fixtures, with four ending honours even.

Victories have proven elusive at Fratton Park, meanwhile, with a tally of just two home wins the lowest in Sky Bet League Two this season outside the bottom four.

Dagenham were seen off 3-0 on the opening day and Barnet were beaten 3-1 in mid-September but, while Exeter are the only side to leave the south coast with maximum points, six games have been drawn, including four 0-0 stalemates which have, at least, helped Paul Cook's men establish themselves as the division's second-meanest defenders in front of their own fans, conceding seven in home games compared to Oxford's six.

On-loan Sheffield United striker Marc McNulty is expected to be in contention against the Minstermen despite being substituted having suffered a head injury while scoring during Saturday's 2-2 draw against Carlisle.

He had only been on the pitch nine minutes and is expected to start on the bench again with another on-loan signing - from the other half of Sheffield - Caolan Lavery expected to get the nod as Cook's lone central striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Portsmouth (probable): Murphy, Davies, Webster, Burgess, Stevens, Doyle, Hollands, Evans, McGurk, Bennett, Lavery.