Duncan Barkes

It meant that last-minute deals to bring players into Pompey might not be able to register in time to be available for the game in question.

However that consideration is balanced by the need to spread upcoming fixtures so that congestion is avoided, or at least minimised.

Speculation is growing that the third attempt to play Portsmouth versus Ipswich could come at a very critical time in the season for both clubs, with Ipswich bearing down on a promotion place and Pompey seeking to ensure their survival as a championship outfit, conspiracy theorists suggesting that Pompey were relieved to have the game postponed, and some appear to go so far as to suggest the home club influenced the decision.

should be rebutted by the simple fact that Pompey would have liked to have gone ahead with the game not only to ease potential fixture congestion, but also to build on their excellent 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion last time out, and if they did manage a win over Ipswich the three points would have opened a significant gap between Pompey and the bottom three.

As for Ipswich their last two performances and results have been poor, and with Coventry and Middlesbrough not playing this was an opportunity to get within four points of their arrivals.

The general consensus is that the third date for the game may be much later in the season.

And it may indeed be a fixture with huge implications at both ends of the Championship.

Pompey looks set to land Paraguayan winger Gustavo Caballero on loan from Brazilian club Santos.

The 24-year-old's arrival at Fratton Park would make him the fifth signing of the transfer window, and reports from Paraguay suggest the deal includes an option to make the move permanent.

The timing is crucial, with Callum Lang finalising his own move to Preston North End, and John Massigno desperate to bolster his injury-hit attacking options.

Caballero, a Paraguay under-23 international, joined Santos from Club Nacional in a $1.6 million deal back in July 2023, and his form since has clearly caught Pompey's eye.

While he can play as a striker, it's not yet clear exactly how the Blues plan to use him, should the deal go through.

Misenio has been open about needing a new centre-forward, particularly with Colby Bishop finding the net just twice so far this season.

That need became even more urgent after Saturday's 3-0 win over West Brom, which saw Bishop forced off late in the game and leave the ground wearing a precautionary boot on his left foot.

Lange, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury, missed that weekend's victory, a win that lifted the Blues four points clear of the relegation zone.

Improving Portsmouth stretched their unbeaten run to four games, as Connor Chaplin's opener teed up an emphatic victory against woeful fellow championship strugglers West Bromwich Albion.

Chaplin swept home his first goal in 24 games since returning to the club on loan this season from Milenic Alli's smart pullback from the left.

Ali also netted his first Pompey goal of the season, and for the club, when he slid the ball through keeper Max O'Leary's legs from Andre Dizel's pass for a 2-0 interval lead.

The Baggies played like a side resigned to a fifth defeat in six, lacking confidence, intensity and any goal threat, with just one lame off-target attempt in the first half.

Portsmouth had no trouble completing the job, in front of an increasingly relaxed Fratton Park crowd, with Ebu Adams also on target, as they moved up to 20th, four points clear of the relegation zone.