Portsmouth boss Avram Grant will be without cup-tied quartet Jamie O'Hara, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Mike Williamson and Tommy Smith for the visit of Aston Villa to Fratton Park in the Carling Cup quarter-final.
Goalkeeper David James remains on the sidelines with a calf injury with Asmir Begovic set to deputise between the posts once again.
Papa Bouba Diop is still out with a hamstring injury, while Steve Finnan continues to struggle with the groin problem he sustained against Wigan last month.
Meanwhile, Grant is certain his lack of experience at the foot of the Premier League will not handicap him in his relegation battle at Fratton Park.
The Israeli has become more accustomed to life at the top of the table during his managerial career.
He led Chelsea to second in the Premier League in 2007/08 and won championships with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa in his homeland.
But Portsmouth's 4-1 loss against Manchester United last Saturday has left them rock-bottom of the standings and seven points adrift of safety.
Questions have been asked about whether Grant has the stomach for a relegation dogfight following his privileged past.
However, the Pompey manager has no qualms about taking on the challenge.
He said: "I don't have enough experience at the bottom of the leagues - I am guilty. I hope I will not have much experience of this.
"I've spent more than 90% of my life at the top but I know what I need to do here. I have a lot of experience in football.
"One thing I always say to myself when I come into a situation like this is `get used to it as soon as possible'.
"I'm not looking back and saying I was managing top teams and now I am here. I have a job to do and I am going to do it."
Martin O'Neill will check on the fitness of left-back Stephen Warnock and midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker before finalising his side.
Warnock missed the 1-1 home draw with Tottenham at the weekend through illness while Reo-Coker suffered an ankle injury during the game which forced him to be substituted.
Central defender James Collins is again ruled out through a combination of groin and thigh problems.
Brad Guzan is again likely to deputise between the posts for number one Brad Friedel after saving four penalties, including three in the shoot-out, during the win at Sunderland in the previous round.
O'Neill admits Villa "should be contesting more semi-finals and finals" as they look to book a last-four place in the Carling Cup at the expense of Pompey.
And the Villa manager is aware lifting silverware would do wonders for the confidence and self belief of the players in the same way it did when he steered Leicester to the trophy in 1997 and 2000.
Villa's only two triumphs in the last 25 years were in the League Cup in 1994 and 1996 under Ron Atkinson and Brian Little respectively against Manchester United and Leeds.
Their only other final appearance during that period was in the 2000 FA Cup when they were beaten by Chelsea.
O'Neill said: "At Leicester when we did it, won the first trophy, it really was great. We needed a replay at Hillsborough to beat Middlesbrough and it is a fantastic feeling for everyone at the club, not just the manager.
"The players were particularly excited by it and, obviously for the fans, it is great to win something.
"You ask the old Leicester players, and it does wonders for your confidence and your whole morale - and it would be the just the same this time if the same happened at Villa.
"The history of this club would suggest we should be contesting more semi-finals and finals than they have done in the last 25 years.
"They have won this trophy once or twice. I remember Brian Little telling me that to win it was really terrific and the feeling that was felt throughout the whole club was really energising."
