Appy: We're coming for you, Saints

Appleton believes his troops face their toughest test since he became Pompey manager, as they step out in the heat of derby day battle against league leaders Southampton.

The Blues travel to St Mary’s fighting for their Championship lives with six games remaining.

Appleton is under no illusions of the task his side face against their fierce promotion-chasing rivals.

But he has sensed the fire in the Blues following the 5-1 home thumping against Burnley last weekend.

The 36-year-old backed the youthful elements of his squad to stand up and be counted in enemy territory.

And he promises Pompey will go on the front foot as they search for a result to spark their survival bid.

Appleton said: ‘We’re coming up against the team at the top of the league who have played as good a football as most.

‘We won’t get any bigger test. It’s the biggest one we’ve had so far as a group.

‘We haven’t had a midweek game this week and that’s helped us.

‘It’s helped us to come together and get some decent training in.