Robins prepared for a 'positive' Pompeypublished at 17:29 21 January
Image source, Rex FeaturesSaturday's 1-1 draw at The Hawthorns stretched Mark Robins' record as Stoke City boss to three games unbeaten
Stoke City boss Mark Robins has warned that Portsmouth will be a tough nut to crack on their own patch ahead of Wednesday's trip to Fratton Park.
The Potters are unbeaten in five games since the sacking of Narcis Pelach, having beaten Sunderland under caretaker boss Ryan Shawcross, who also oversaw a 0-0 draw at Burnley, before the two league draws under Robins either side of the FA Cup extra-time win in the rematch with Sunderland.
But Pompey, just two points behind the Potters in 22nd, are unbeaten at home since late October, having won five and drawn one of their past six games at Fratton Park, including a 4-1 come-from-behind win over Robins' old club Coventry City and a 4-0 victory over Swansea City.
"They're a bit up and down away," said Robins. "But they've done really well at home. They've got some good, honest players on the back of a good promotion.
"And it's that time of year when teams down there start to pick up points. They had another good win on Saturday (at home to Middlesbrough) and they'll be in a positive mood."
Robins is again without Ben Pearson, who "might be ready for a game with the Under-21s next week", and Ben Gibson, who is "hopefully not too far away" from returning to action.
Midfielder Lynden Gooch "will be able to train soon" and front man Million Manhoef is "making steady progress" after seven games out, but there is no word yet on the severity of teenager Sol Sidibe's back injury.
At least the disappointment of losing on-loan Tom Cannon was countered by teenager Nathan Lowe scoring at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday on his return from Walsall.
But Robins knows he needs to strengthen before deadline day on Monday, 3 February.
"Out of possession, the players have been really good," he said. "If you've got that, you've got a platform to build from. But we need a squad.
"That's something we're trying to put right as quickly as we can. We're trying to do one or two bits of business to alleviate some areas we need to address."
