PORTSMOUTH travel to Turf Moor tomorrow as one of the clubs in the crowded scrum at the top of the first division.

They have had a mixed start to life under new manager Graham Rix but know that a win against Burnley will take them to within a point of the Clarets.

Pompey were successful away from home last weekend, Peter Crouch netting twice in a 3-2 win at Sheffield Wednesday, and that was their third win on their travels this season.

The main man for Pompey has been Croatia's World Cup star Robert Prosinecki, brought to the club in the summer after a career that has seen him play for some of the giants of the game, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Red Star Belgrade.

While he has grabbed the headlines, big striker Peter Crouch has been grabbing the goals, seven in the league so far.

But he will not be alongside two of his potential partners tomorrow, former Celtic star Mark Burchill being ruled out by injury and ex-Manchester City man Lee Bradbury being ruled out by suspension, a one match ban after picking up five bookings.

That means that ex-Reading player Steve Lovell and former Bradford City striker Lee Mills are fighting it out to play alongside Crouch tomorrow afternoon.

In goal is likely to be Japanese keeper Yoshi Kawaguchi, the recent £1.8million arrival on the south coast.

A thigh strain meant he was not considered for his country's friendly against Italy in midweek but he is expected to make his second start for Pompey having made his debut at Hillsborough last weekend.

Rix has opted for a 3-5-2 formation this season, the extra man in midfield allowing Prosinecki the freedom of the park to strut his stuff.