Hawkins gets nod as Jackett makes Pompey changes

Oli Hawkins has recovered from injury to lead Pompey's line against Shrewsbury this afternoon.
Oli Hawkins has recovered from injury to start against Shrewsbury today.  Picture: Joe Pepler.Oli Hawkins has recovered from injury to start against Shrewsbury today.  Picture: Joe Pepler.
Oli Hawkins has recovered from injury to start against Shrewsbury today. Picture: Joe Pepler.

The striker sustained a back problem in last weekend's 3-0 victory over Plymouth, with Brett Pitman coming off the bench.

He was also absent for the midweek Checkatrade Trophy clash with Gillingham, among 10 changes, with Pitman taking his place.

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Despite a scoring return for Pitman from the penalty spot in that 4-0 success, Hawkins is back in the Blues' side today.

Instead there are three changes to the team which defeated Plymouth.

Nathan Thompson and Christian Burgess come in for injured pair Anton Walkes and Jack Whatmough.

While Andre Green replaces leading-scorer Ronan Curtis on the left of the attacking three, with Curtis on international duty with the Republic of Ireland under-21s.

Loanees Joe Mason and David Wheeler are on the bench.

Pompey: MacGillivray, N.Thompson, Burgess, Clarke, Brown, B.Thompson, Naylor, Lowe, Evans, Green, Hawkins.

Subs: McGee, Haunstrup, Close, Pitman, Rose, Mason, Wheeler.