Shaka Hislop will be left out of the Pompey side that takes on Northampton at Fratton Park tonight in the Carling Cup.

Goalkeeper Hislop has been playing through the pain of a hernia injury so either Pavel Srnicek, who played with Hislop at Newcastle, or summer signing Harald Wapenaar will make their debut.

Former Scotland striker Mark Burchill is in contention for his first Pompey appearance of 2003- after returning from his month on loan at Wigan.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has vowed to field a weakened team for the tie against the third division side and Burchill, 23, is available after being sent back to the south coast by first division leaders Wigan.

Burchill , who spent most of last season on loan at Dundee, has had his career marred by the broken leg he suffered in a Pompey training session two years ago.

He has started only nine games for the club, has not featured at all since last December, and only started one game during his four weeks at Wigan, whose boss Paul Jewell said: "Mark gave us something a little different but unfortunately his lack of football meant he wasn't at the peak of his fitness and could not really break into our side."

Northampton have conceded seven goals in losing their last two away games.

Gary O'Neil, Vincent Pericard, Jason Roberts, Hayden Foxe, Linvoy Primus and Alexei Smeretin are also likely to start.