Blues return to Fratton Park this evening for a Barclays Premier League fixture against Portsmouth, just three days after losing 2-0 to Pompey in the quarter finals of the FA Cup.

But Alex McLeish has insisted that his players will not be dwelling on Saturday's result as they look to build on their terrific league position.

Blues remain in eighth spot in the table, some 21 points and 11 places above tonight's hosts, who also face a nine point deduction after going into administration recently.

TEAM NEWS
Blues

Michel

McLeish has indicated that he will be making changes to his side for tonight's game.

The likes of Michel, Craig Gardner and Stuart Parnaby all come into contention for a start.

Sitting out the game because of injury are Lee Carsley (ankle) and Garry O'Connor (hip).

Pompey
Ricardo Rocha misses the game because of suspension.

Definitely out are Kevin-Prince Boateng (ankle), John Utaka (groin) and Hassan Yebda (knee).

Aaron Mokoena is doubtful because of a knee problem.

LINE-UPS LAST MATCH
Blues (Lost 2-0 v Portsmouth, away): Hart, Ridgewell, Carr, Dann, Johnson, Bowyer, Fahey (Phillips, 72), Larsson (Gardner, 84), Ferguson, Jerome, McFadden (Benitez, 75).
Subs not used: Murphy, Taylor, Michel, Parnaby.

Portsmouth (Won 2-0 v Blues, home): James, Finnan, Ben-Haim, Belhadj, Hreidarsson, Brown, Utaka, O'Hara, Wilson, Piquionne, Webber (Diop, 85).
Subs not used: Mullins, Kanu, Owusu-Abeyie, Dindane, Basinas, Ashdown.

Alex McLeish

MANAGERS' COMMENTS
Alex McLeish
"I don't think revenge is a word we use (following Saturday's FA Cup exit).

"We played well certainly in the first 45 minutes.

"I was very pleased and at half time we came in pretty comfortable.

"But when you've not got the goal it makes it still a very dangerous game and with Portsmouth having a lot of very good players in their team then you can never rest.

"They upped a gear a little bit in the second half and they got a goal from a set piece which was a little bit fortunate the way it ended up in the back of the net.

"From then it was about chasing the game away from home and they played us on the counter attack and got a quick goal.

"I expect us to bounce back whenever we've had a reverse but I can't guarantee anything.

"Portsmouth won't to be seen by anybody in the league as lying down and giving up their league games.

"And they'll want to keep a bit of momentum for their FA Cup semi final game and they've got a lot of good players, so there is no way you can disregard Portsmouth

Pompey first-team coach Paul Groves

Paul Groves

"We want to do well and until those nine points are taken away from us, we'll continue chasing the teams above and hopefully put some pressure on them.

"I think the players and staff believe we could get out of it if given the opportunity, but we'll have to wait and see.

"We want to put pressure on the teams above and if we can do that, who knows? The nine-point deduction is something we don't have any control over.

"All we can do is concentrate on the football. That's what the players have done and what we've tried to do all the time.

"Hopefully, things may turn in our favour, but if they don't, it's something we'll have to deal with.

"We'll just do what we can on the pitch. That's why the game is so important to us on Tuesday night.

"It's a game we can get three points from and one where we can get ourselves very close to the pack. It takes on added importance."

Referee Mike Jones

MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Referee Mike Jones will take charge of this evening's game.

The Cheshire-based official has refereed 24 games so far this season, in which he has produced a total of 83 yellow cards and four reds.

The last Blues game he took charge of was in December when Blues beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at St. Andrew's in a Barclays Premier League fixture.

On that occasion he booked four players including Barry Ferguson and Cameron Jerome for Blues.

Mr Jones will be assisted by Darren Cann from Norfolk and Mike Mullarkey from Devon.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Fratton Park has not been a happy hunting ground for Blues in recent years.

James McFadden

Including Saturday's FA Cup defeat Blues have not won there in there past eight visits.

The last win was back in March 1999 when Blues came away from the south coast with a 1-0 win after Martin O'Connor converted a penalty.

In total there have been 93 games between the two sides. Blues have come out on top 40 times, Pompey 28 and there have been 25 draws.

When the two sides met in the corresponding Barclays Premier League fixture earlier this season, Blues secured a 1-0 win at St. Andrew's after James McFadden scored a last minute penalty.

BETTING
Pompey are slight favourites to win tonight's encounter at odds of 7/5 with Bet365.

The draw is priced at 9/4 and a Blues victory at 2/1.

For the full range of markets available, please click here.

Remember every bet you make with Bet365 benefits the club.

WEATHER FORECAST
The weather forecast for Portsmouth today is sunny with a maximum temperature of eight degrees Centigrade.

MATCH COMMENTARY
You can listen to full 90 minutes commentary from Fratton Park on Blues Player.

To access Blues player, please click here.

The official website, bcfc.com, will have a match report on the site minutes after the final whistle.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets will be available to purchase from the Kop Ticket Office at St. Andrew's until 12 noon today.

Portsmouth will also be selling tickets on the turnstiles tonight.

OTHER BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE FEATURES ON TUESDAY
Sunderland vs Bolton