Portsmouth midfielder Richard Hughes is confident they can handle the physical test that comes with visiting Stoke City this weekend.

The combative midfielder is vying for a recall to Paul Hart's midfield for Sunday's trip to Stoke City as Pompey bid to close the three-point gap between themselves and second from bottom Wolves in the Premier League table.

Hughes told The News: "The Britannia Stadium has proved to be a very hard place to go for every club since they came up to the Premier League.

"But we know that and we are going to be up for it. We would need to keep their fans quiet for 90 minutes.

"The crowd really get behind them and play a major part in how successful they are on their own patch. But I don't know if we can keep them quiet because like the Portsmouth fans, they stick with their side regardless of what's happening in front of them."