Richard Naylor today admitted it will be 'touch and go' whether he wins his fitness battle in time for Friday's crunch showdown with Portsmouth.

The Ipswich Town defender jarred his knee and had to be substituted at half-time during Saturday's 4-2 success at Coventry.

And, turning his attention to the Pompey clash at Portman Road, he told the Evening Gazette: "It's just a question of resting and hoping it settles down during the week.

"I fell awkwardly after going up for a high ball and came down straight on my knee, rather than it bending to cushion my landing.

"It felt very sore at the time but has eased up over the weekend and hopefully I'll be able to do some training in a couple of days."

Town need to beat Portsmouth - now second in Division One after their weekend defeat by Sheffield Wednesday - in order to keep up the pressure on play-off rivals Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Reading.

"I'm desperate to play but the fact the game is a day earlier than normal has worked against me," added Naylor.

"I've got less time to recover and I won't play if it's not right."

Published Tuesday, April 15, 2003

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