Since then a much-changed Blues side booked their place in the last eight of the Papa John’s Trophy with a 3-0 win against Stevenage at Fratton Park on Tuesday night.
However, did those fringe players who stepped in do enough to convince Danny Cowley that they deserve the chance to start in League One?
Here’s our answer to that question, with our decision also taking into account Zak Swanson’s chances of playing against the managerless Dons.
The right-back returned to training on the grass on Thursday, but will it be enough to have him return to the Pompey starting XI and Cowley revert back to a 4-4-2 formation?
1. Josh Griffiths - goalkeeper
The on-loan West Brom keeper has just one clean sheet from his past seven outings - but he's still Pompey undisputed No1, despite Josh Oluwayemi's impressive displays in the Papa John's Trophy Photo: Jason Brown
2. Sean Raggett - centre-back 1
Will probably be more annoyed at the Blues' lack of clean sheets in recent league games than Griffiths - so the ever-reliable Raggett will be determined to record a shutout as part of a back three for the visit of MK Dons. Photo: Jason Brown
3. Clark Robertson - centre-back 2
The Pompey skipper didn't have his best game against Stevenage in midweek - a game which saw Michael Morrison redeem himself after his Wycombe showing. However, Robertson offers much more than just a cool head at the back and will be called upon by Cowley to step up again for the visit of the Dons. Photo: Jason Brown
4. Connor Ogilive - centre-back 3
With Zak Swanson unlikely to make it into the starting line-up Cowley will likely stick with three at the back. The problem for Ogilive is he can't play to his maximum at left-wing-back. The solution? Put Mr Reliable on the left of a back three, where's he's more than capable of playing. Job done. Photo: Jason Brown