Callum Kennedy believes Leyton Orient can relish the Fratton Park atmosphere when they take on Portsmouth on Saturday.

Orient lost two games in one week, 4-1 at Exeter City and 3-1 at home to Barnet, after picking up seven points out of 12 in December.

Portsmouth sit fourth in the League Two table, four points off an automatic promotion spot but the defender says the O’s know what Fratton Park will be like.

“We know that they will have good support. I think some people will expect us to go out there and shy up a little bit,” said the 27-year-old.

“But I do not think this is the case. We will be working today and tomorrow on things, especially our game plan.

“It is a really good atmosphere to play in. That is something we can rise up to and relish.”

The bad news has continued for the O’s after it was revealed captain Robbie Weir will be out for the remainder of the season with a cruciate ligament injury.

Nicky Hunt has been wearing the captain’s armband and Kennedy was full of praise for his teammate.

The former AFC Wimbledon defender said: “Hunty has always been that kind of player, not just when he wears the armband.

“I think that is something us as a team needs to do, take that captain’s mentality out there.

“It was obviously a huge shame for Robbie and Liam (Kelly) has been out for some time.

“It is a little bit of bad luck but we have to take personal responsibility for some of the small margins.

“We have more than good enough players to get us out of the current situation we are in.”

Saturday’s trip to the south coast kicks off at 3pm.