Nathan Thompson will be tasked with marking Aiden McGeady again at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, and the Portsmouth full-back admits the dangerman's recent injury admission 'will play on his mind' during the crucial League One promotion clash.
Ahead of the clash on Wearside which could end Sunderland's automatic promotion hopes, Player of the Season McGeady admitted that he is currently playing with injections to ease the pain of a fractured foot.
Thompson has already came up against the Irishman on two occasions this season - keeping him relatively quiet in the reverse fixture at Fratton Park, but allowing the 33-year-old to net twice and cause a constant threat at Wembley in the Checkatrade Trophy final last month.
But ahead of the crucial clash on Saturday, Thompson - who scored against Sunderland at Wembley - admits to being surprised by the timing of McGeady's injury admission.
He told Portsmouth News: "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.
"But it is a test that I am looking forward to.
"Wembley was good fun and he is capable of a lot. He’s in the Team of the Year and is better than League One – even he knows that.
"It’ll be an interesting one to see how it goes. It’s strange that he’s come out and said he’s injured because it will certainly play on my mind.
"He is capable of turning the game on a sixpence. He’s got the step over, can move either way and if you don’t get tight then he’ll punish you in that sense.
"As the game went on at Wembley, I felt I got closer and we got on top of the ball, which negates his potential.
"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."
Having met twice already this season it's fair to say that there's a familiarity between the two sides both battling for promotion to the Championship.
Portsmouth will arrive at Sunderland with a psychological edge having beaten Jack Ross' side on both previous occasions this term - albeit on penalties at Wembley.
And Thompson believes that familiarity should help him do the best job he possibly can to try and nullify McGeady's threat.
"It's important that I get tight to him. I know a little bit about him now and how he wants to play, which may help so we'll see," he continued.
"You have to get tight and the defending side is more my strength than attacking.
"I’ll make sure I get tight and do the job the best I can.
"It is a good test. If you look at what he has achieved and what he’s got then he is even a top-end Championship player and could play there quite easily."
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