Paul Hart believes his side can pick up where they left off in the big relegation battle against Hull City at the weekend.

A host of Pompey players are away on international duty this week, putting on hold the momentum generated by recent good form.

Hart told The News: "We're not moaning about it — we're just getting on with it, but all of the clubs are in the same position and we're just trying to do things a little bit better.

"You hope your internationals come back fit and you hope they've won, so they come back in a better frame of mind.

"There is not a lot of time for preparation but we've got good pros who can get their heads around it quickly."

Opponents Hull have their own contingent of players away with their countries.

"You just have to keep your fingers crossed that everyone will come back fit," manager Phil Brown told the Hull Daily Mail.