WHITES boss Steve Claridge is relishing the prospect of facing his former side Portsmouth tonight in a much anticipated friendly at the Ray Mac.

League Two Pompey are expected to play a full strength team when the sides clash at 7pm in what is forecasted to be a sweltering evening.

Claridge scored 36 goals in 114 appearances for his home-town club after originally being released as a youngster following injury.

The 2008 FA Cup winners have fallen on hard times recently and crashed out of the League Two playoffs in May when bitter rivals Plymouth scored an extra time winner.

But manager Paul Cook is expected to play a strong team tonight after resting several players during a 2-1 defeat to Sutton United on Saturday.

"Pompey was where it all started for me so they're close to my heart," said Steve, who arranged the friendly. "I like to think I gave good value to the Pompey fans when I came back.

"I probably would have been one of them, standing on the terraces, if I hadn't had a career in the game and I'll always have a love for the club.

"I'm really grateful to Paul Cook for bringing his side over. He rested a lot at Sutton on Saturday so I'm expecting a full-strength Portsmouth side at the Ray Mac.

"It's looking like it's going to be nice weather and with us fielding our strongest side as well and the lads looking to improve on the performance at Basingstoke, I'm hoping for a big crowd and expecting a competitive and enjoyable night."

The injured trio of Callum Hart, Calum Brockway and Kane O'Keefe are all missing as is Sam Roberts who is on holiday.

Whites squad: Searle, Ball, Colson, Wheeler, Walker, Warren, Perrett, Leigh, Dawes, Whelan, Benson, Mundy, Herbert, Young, Bennett, Wright, Rusher. Plus triallists.