With Paul Robinson and Jack Whatmough set to miss the rest of the season, Andy Awford has brought in replacements in Nyron Nosworthy and Cole Kpekawa on loan until the end of the season.
Robinson has a fractured cheekbone which could well see him out until May whilst Whatmough's knee scan confirmed that he has ligament damage and will certainly miss the rest of the campaign and possibly even part of next season too.
Their replacements are at contrasting parts of their careers with 34-year-old Nosworthy joining on loan from beleaguered Championship side Blackpool and 18-year-old Kpekawa being borrowed from Queens Park Rangers.
The former has played Premier League football for Sunderland and also had spells at Watford and Sheffield United. He should bring some organisation to the Pompey defence in Robinson's absence and hopefully keep concentration levels high.
The latter can play on the left side of the defence which suggests he may not just be a replacement for Whatmough, but also as competition for Dan Butler's position in the team. Kpekawa has made four appearances on loan at Colchester earlier in the season.
Hopefully the duo can make a difference to the defence overall as that may be the difference between finishing in the bottom half and top half of League Two this season!