Portsmouth boss Paul Cook says his side are looking forward to playing on Carlisle United's "lovely pitch" tomorrow.

The Pompey manager wants his team to make the most of the surface prepared by groundsman David Mitchell and his team.

Tomorrow's visitors are hoping to move within three points of United in the League Two promotion race.

Cook believes the quality of the pitch at Brunton Park will help make it a game to relish.

"Our flair players didn't play well on a difficult pitch [at Barnet]," Cook said.

"I think every pitch today should be a carpet. There's no excuses. Then you decide how you want to play. Pitches shouldn't decide games. How can that be right?

"But I always look forward to Carlisle, mainly because of the pitch. It's a lovely pitch and playing surface so it's a game you look forward to.

"They try to play and pass the ball. Throw in their league position and the season and it's got the making of a great game for people to look forward to."

Cook has identified frontman Jamie Proctor - a player he is understood to have bid for last month - as a key part of Carlisle's team.

The Bolton loanee has scored twice in three Carlisle appearances after his deadline-day move.

Cook said: "He's a handful and he'll lead the line really well. He's strong, aggressive and will cause you no end of problems.

"Carlisle have good players, they really have. They're a good side who have played a good brand of football all year.

"They've scored a lot of goals and they are a free-scoring team. We're looking forward to playing them."

Cook said United's strong response to their 4-1 defeat to Blackpool - beating Doncaster and Wycombe since then - demonstrates their strength.

He added: "After getting beat 4-1 at home I'm sure you would be more combative.

"It's football. That defeat would have hurt them, but since then they've beat Doncaster and Wycombe. So they've had the right reaction.

"We're in for a tough game. Carlisle are a very good side."

Cook added that he expects his side to rise to the challenge in front of an expected big crowd.

He said: "It'll be a big gate - but it always is when Portsmouth to come to town.

We've got a lot of confidence in what we do and we've got a great travelling support going a long way.

"Carlisle have got a lot of players and will hurt teams at will [but] I feel if the game becomes open, we will be able to look after ourselves."

Curtis Main is Pompey's only injury absentee.