ALAN BALL'S Sunday countdown conundrum will see him have one more, even if he'll have no Moore for the trip to West Brom.

The T-crossing and I-dotting of Darren Moore's capture will not come in time for him to be included in the party for the Hawthorns, while Ball expects to be able to add just the name of Sammy Igoe to the squad beaten 1-0 by Fulham on Tuesday night.

Igoe missed out on Tuesday after his girlfriend gave birth and Ball could turn to him to provide the sort of passing quality he felt was lacking to trouble Fulham.

Despite the extra 24 hours coughed up by the game being put back, Ball's injury problems won't heal in time.

"Three of the lads were very close and I expect them to be fit for next week. Add Jeff Peron, Jason Cundy and Thomas Thogersen to Darren Moore and it will be like having four new players," said Ball who takes his side to The Hawthorns in good spirits.

Although Pompey's return from three games against expected promotion challengers produced just one point out of nine Ball took heart from the displays in all three games against Manchester City, Birmingham and Fulham.

"The players that I had for those games gave me everything and I couldn't ask for any more.

"I think we showed in those three games that we have no need to fear anybody, what we have to do is find some consistency - especially away from home where we have been something of an easy touch at times," said Ball.

Facts back that up, and they show that Pompey's 4-2 win at Tranmere remains their only success on the road this season, while Ball will also be keen to eliminate a nagging habit of conceding expensive late goals.

"We seem to have problems concentrating for 90 minutes and it is a bit worrying the way we keep getting caught at the end of games. It's not a fitness problem, more of a mental one and it's one we need to cure."

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