Portsmouth boss eager to unleash Aston Villa winger

The left-sided winger is this week expected to return to full training having undergone a minor knee operation.

That six-week lay-off has restricted the Aston Villa loanee to just two matches following his August arrival.

The highly-regarded Green had been earmarked to provide competition on the left of the attacking three and '“ potentially '“ a number 10 option.

Now he's closing in on a return to first-team reckoning for the Blues.

And Jackett is keen to have the 20-year-old's attacking talents available for selection once more.

He said: '˜Andre came back last week and was training with the physios, now he will begin full training.

'˜We are comfortable he's had enough time '“ and Aston Villa have given him the green light to go ahead as and when we think so.

'˜For him, hopefully he can put the niggles and injury problems behind him and make a big impression at Portsmouth. I am sure he is determined to do that.

'˜Considering the way we play with wingers, wingers that can go one-v-one and beat people, Andre has that power in abundance and his pace can frighten people. That's the reason we brought him here.

'˜We want to give him the service, which first and foremost any forward player needs. If we can give him regular service in their half with either balls into feet or into space, he can handle both.

'˜In terms of opposition defences in League One, we feel he can go past people, give them problems and create and score goals for us. That was the idea when we brought him in.'

Green's Blues absence has been a source of frustration, yet there is now the opportunity to demonstrate his ability.

Pompey head to Maidenhead in the FA Cup this weekend, although the Checkatrade clash with Spurs under-21s on November 13 may represent a more realistic return date.

Jackett added: '˜He's a left-sided player, although I do think he can perhaps play on the right, but obviously we have Lowe and Wheeler as well.

'˜We deliberately tried to go for four wingers, so hopefully we can maintain our system.

'˜Andre's a very good guy, he's had no problems fitting in and the players have been pleased to see him back.

'˜He will now be wanting to hit the ground running through November and December.'