Portsmouth ladies coach seeks revenge over Yeovil

Portsmouth ladies boss Vanessa Raynbird wants to avenge her side's 'awful' 3-1 defeat to Yeovil earlier this season when the sides meet again on Sunday.

Pompey are third in the Women's Premier League South Division, just one place below automatic promotion, while Yeovil lie in eighth position.

Raynbird told BBC Radio Solent: "It was awful and the worst we played all year.

"We were poor but we've addressed that now, and we want to turn it around and reverse the score line on Sunday."

Pompey have enjoyed several cup runs this season, reaching the semi-final of the FA Women's Premier League Cup and they also secured a place in their fifth Hampshire Cup final after defeating Shanklin 4-1 last Sunday.

But Raynbird fears injuries and suspensions may hinder her side's chances for promotion and silverware this season.

As soon as you pick up injuries and lose players that takes the trunk out of your squad, however I'm still confident in the players we have got

Portsmouth Ladies boss Vanessa Raynbird

"We had a good league cup run and enjoy those competitions but we're playing cup games when others are playing league games so we're always playing catch up with teams above us and it takes its' toll on players," she said.

"We now have many players missing and that will make a dent in our squad for the rest of this season."

Pompey are currently without midfielder Kirsty McGee with a thigh problem, while striker Justine Lorton has been side-lined with a groin injury and defender Lauren Murphy has been missing through suspension.

Murphy, who was banned for two matches after being sent off in Pompey's 2-1 win over Sunderland in the Premier League Cup quarter-final in January, is expected to return for the Yeovil fixture this weekend but McGee and Lorton are still doubts.

"It's going to be very difficult because I've always said if we put strongest side out we will win the league, no question," said Raynbird.

"But as soon as you pick up injuries and lose players that takes the trunk out of your squad. However I'm still confident in the players we have got."