Gareth Ainsworth is expecting a tough examination of the Wycombe defence in tomorrow’s League Two match with Portsmouth at Adams Park.

Portsmouth are the third highest scorers in the division and won 6-0 against York City on Tuesday night to move up to fourth position in the league.

In contrast Wycombe have been struggling to score in the league and have prospered largely through a defence that has kept three clean sheets in their last four games.

Ainsworth is therefore preparing for a game in which Wycombe’s defence is tested in the strongest possible way.

Speaking after Tuesday’s win over Yeovil he said: “We will have to get it right against Portsmouth because they are one of the top scorers in the division.

“We will need to be resolute on Saturday. I will get the players rested before then and we will do what we can against a good team”

Wycombe’s improved defensive solidity has coincided with a return to the sort of form that allowed the Chairboys to reach the play-off final last year. Ainsworth will expect his defence to continue in a similar vein tomorrow.

The mach is therefore likely to be a battle between the defence of Wycombe and the free-flowing attacking football of Portsmouth.

When the sides last met on 31 January this year defence was indeed the order of the day as the pair played out a goalless draw.

The match will also herald a return to competitive action at Adams Park after postponements have seen the Blues not play their since the 1-1 draw with Carlisle United.

As well as the obvious morale boosting qualities of playing at home the club will be happy to be able to take in a strong gate from one of the league’s best supported clubs.

Portsmouth, who always travel well, are expected to bring a large contingent of fans to the game with 1,800 away tickets already sold.

It is an atmosphere that Ainsworth is looking forward to and he hopes to deliver a win that would ensure the Chairboys extend their unbeaten run to six games.

He will still be without Joe Jacobson and Marcus Bean who are long-term injuries with back and ankle problems respectively.

Gozie Ugwu and Stephen McGinn are also doubts with knocks and Ainsworth admitted that the injury crisis is a concern heading into the game.

He said: “We haven’t got a reserve team or a youth team so there is no back up if we lose more players.

“If that happens there will just have to be less people on the bench and until there is only two people on the bench my boots will stay firmly in the boot room.”

Loanee Jason McCarthy is also relishing the encounter having spent his entire youth career with Southampton.

The rivalry between the two south coast clubs is well documented and McCarthy is more than aware of the importance of the fixture.

He said: “I was brought up to not like Portsmouth. I’ll have friends down to watch it and I am aware of what the match means to people and I am looking forward to it.”