O'Neil was cup tied for City in the Carling Cup but is eligable to play for Pompey so he could be lining up against City tomorrow night.
That will depend on a tight hamstring that he was nursing after Saturday's game at Rotherham. City were not unduly concerned as he would have been fit in plenty of time for next weekends trip to Reading.
"I don't know whether he will be playing against us or not - he had a bit of a tight hamstring after the Rotherham match, so who knows," Lawrence told the Western Mail.
"It's a strange situation, but just one of those things. I'm disappointed Gary's been called back, but we knew it was something that might happen and, with Portsmouth suffering a few injuries, it has happened."
Lawrence has not given up hope on getting O'Neil back.
"I want to resurrect it, though. I don't know when Gary will be available for loan again. It could be in a month, it could be in three months or it could be next summer. But I'll be interested in doing something as and when circumstances allow."
Injuries to Steve Stone, Eyal Berkovic and Patrick Berger have forced Harry Redknapp into recalling O'Neil. All three missed Pompey's 3 - 0 defeat at Aston Villa and Redknapp has reacted immediately as he looks to bounce back. It's just ironic the next game is against us.
Willie Boland is expected to return into midfield with Graham Kavanagh.
To Gary O'Neil, thank you and best of luck.