Pompey boss encouraged by '˜good options'

Pompey have been robbed of three of the side which started the defeat at Southend.
Sylvain Deslandes could play at left-back if Dion Donohue is switched to midfieldSylvain Deslandes could play at left-back if Dion Donohue is switched to midfield
Sylvain Deslandes could play at left-back if Dion Donohue is switched to midfield

But Kenny Jackett is adamant he still possesses ‘good options’ as he plots a positive outcome at Fleetwood tomorrow night (7.45pm).

Nathan Thompson will serve a four-match ban following his second sending off of the season.

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In addition, Brett Pitman and Gareth Evans are expected to be sidelined for three weeks with hamstring injuries.

At least Matty Kennedy is available following an ankle injury.

Nonetheless, the Blues remain stretched in central midfield and are short of competition at right-back and the centre of defence.

But Jackett is satisfied he has the ability to change the side at the Highbury Stadium.

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He said: ‘Looking at the defenders out of the side, obviously there are Deslandes, Haunstrup, and Whatmough back.

‘So it’s good they are around to add to the back four that played on Saturday, they are coming back at different stages of their career.

‘So there are good options there.

‘With Nathan out, in the centre of midfield, we have Adam May, that is it.

‘We will see if he starts, the option is to push Donohue in there and play Deslandes at left-back.’

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Pompey will encounter a Fleetwood side nursing seven successive defeats and without a manager following Uwe Rosler’s sacking.

Meanwhile, Jackett had his squad in on their Sunday rest day to analyse their 3-1 defeat at Southend.

He added: ‘We came in on Sunday, I wanted us to watch the video, talk through the game and see where we need improvement.

‘You need a good assessment of it before we can really try to learn – and then pretty quickly focus on Fleetwood and Blackpool.

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‘There is no point pushing things to one side unless you identify where you need to improve, otherwise you keep making the same mistakes.

‘It was a process that was needed from the half-time and the end of the game at Southend, through Sunday and Monday.

‘I am looking forward to an improved performance at Fleetwood.

‘The proof is in the pudding whether it has worked, we will see at Fleetwood and we will see at Blackpool.

‘The players are capable of doing very well.’

– NEIL ALLEN