Pompey's home form has been patchy so far - and John Mousinho knows it's down to his players to get on the front foot and look to redress the balance when Stoke City visit on Saturday.

The Blues may have recorded impressive wins over Preston and Middlesbrough at Fratton this term but losses to Norwich, Sheff Wed and now Coventry have seen the fortress breached too many times.

Stoke will be another big test of the home record and Mousinho told the club website the message to the players was clear: 'There’s a big onus on the team to start well and really give the crowd something to cheer,' he said. 'It’s up to us to give something back because the fans provide us with so much support and make a huge difference.

'Everyone’s pushing for a start and there will be guys who we think are the right player for the right match. There will be at least one change with John Swift suspended and in a three-game week we’ll take a look at things from a physical standpoint.

'This meeting will be completely different to the last one at Fratton Park, when both sides were scrapping away at the bottom of the table. Stoke have made a really good start to the season. They’re solid defensively and have added some key players at the top end to give them physicality and pace.

'Mark Robins knows this level well and is an extremely shrewd operator, which is reflected in their results.'

Adrian Segečić is likely to be missing at the weekend after an ankle injury picked up shortly after he came on in midweek but Josh Murphy is set to be in the squad, but - says Mousinho - won't start. And Jordan Williams should be okay to return, if selected.

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