Portsmouth's Nathan Thompson has admitted he's looking forward to testing himself against Aiden McGeady this weekend, highlighting the importance of 'doing a job' on the Republic of Ireland winger.

Portsmouth and Sunderland come head to head in a huge promotion six-pointer at the Stadium of Light tomorrow, with McGeady having recently admitted he's playing with a broken foot to get his side through the next few matches.

That's prompted a response from the Pompey midfielder, who has already had to managed the 33-year-old's talents during the recent EFL Trophy final.

"Aiden is probably one of the only players capable in the league who can play with a weakened foot and still get away with it because he’s that good," the 28-year-old told Portsmouth.co.uk. "But it is a test that I am looking forward to."

Thompson believes the Black Cats reliance on McGeady means stopping him is pivotal to getting on the right side of a result at the weekend.

"We did a job on him at Fratton Park. We got close to him and got bodies around him. He’s able to create a bit of room and they rely on him a little bit to create opportunities for players up front. It's important we do a job on him again."

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Both teams have three matches left to play, with Pompey two points behind Barnsley and Sunderland four behind. Defeat for either would be hugely damaging and almost certainly ensure a play-off campaign after the 46-game season has ended.

The Verdict

The injury isn't something he specifically mentions, but using language such as 'do a job' does conjure up images of hatchet men, tough tackles and minimising threats.

Thompson isn't suggesting he'll target McGeady's foot, but you can bet it gets mentioned in their pre-match preparations. One good tackle could rule McGeady out of the game, ending his threat completely.