More Travel Disruption For Blues
by Mark Storey in Washington
Pompey arrived in Washington just seven hours before kick-off against DC United after more travel disruption.
The Blues were stranded in Chicago overnight after a lightning storm grounded their flight.
It meant the players were unable to train ahead of Saturday night's friendly.
The Pompey party had to find a hotel and grab a few hours sleep before getting up again at 4am on Saturday for a flight to Washington.
But more bad weather meant that flight was delayed.
The Blues had set off from Edmonton in Canada at 10am on Friday morning.
It is the second time on the club’s pre-season tour that a cancelled flight has left the Pompey party stuck overnight in Chicago – the first was on the way from London to San Diego.
Pompey now have to gather their resources for tonight’s friendly at the RFK Stadium, the last of their four games in North America.
Richard Hughes, Hayden Mullins, Tommy Smith and Jamie Ashdown are all in contention to start after periods out injured.
Smith has been sidelined with a jarred hip since the 2-1 defeat to Club America in San Diego, while Hughes (thigh) and Mullins (knee) both missed the game against FC Edmonton, which Pompey won 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Ashdown could be ready to make his first start since returning to the Blues on trial. The keeper, released by the club in May, has been recuperating from a knee injury.
Jon Stewart and Tom Kilbey both face lengthy spells on the sidelines after getting hurt in Pompey’s Edmonton Cup success. The pair have already flown home.
Keeper Stewart broke his right leg in a collision with team-mate Joel Ward and is on crutches, while teenage midfielder Kilbey has his right knee in a brace after a heavy challenge from an FC Edmonton player on Wednesday night.
Kick-off at the RFK Stadium, home of the Washington Redskins American Football team, is at 7.30pm local time (12.30am British time).
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