Portsmouth boss happy to throw in striker

Kenny Jackett has no qualms about throwing Joe Mason into his league starting XI.
Pompey striker Joe Mason. Picture: Joe PeplerPompey striker Joe Mason. Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey striker Joe Mason. Picture: Joe Pepler

The Pompey boss is weighing up handing the striker his first full League One appearance at AFC Wimbledon.

Mason has just 10 minutes of league action to his name since arriving from Wolves on loan in August.

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The 27-year-old was given a Checkatrade Trophy outing at Crawley, where he blazed a late penalty horribly over the bar.

Pompey striker Joe Mason. Picture: Joe PeplerPompey striker Joe Mason. Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey striker Joe Mason. Picture: Joe Pepler

Jackett has no concerns about that miss, however, as he considers handing Mason a start.

He said: '˜I felt for him on the penalty.

'˜I kept watching it getting played on Sky Sports the next day!

'˜I spoke to him about it, laughed about it and encouraged him.

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'˜It's part of football and he's experienced enough to look forward and get over it.

'˜Joe can play as a nine or 10.

'˜As a nine it's not necessarily a physical nine, but there's a very good goalscoring record there in Joe at a good level.

'˜He's mainly been successful as a 10 in his career.'

Jackett feels both Mason and Louis Dennis are now knocking the door for league minutes.

He added: '˜Joe and Louis Dennis are both ready for their chance as and when it comes. That's the important thing.

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'˜For them both they've been working hard and waiting for their chance.

'˜You know somewhere along the line it will come for them - it's about taking that chance when it does in a first-team sense in a league game.

'˜That's what they are here for.

'˜When they get that chance they have to take it and keep that shirt.

'˜That's the competition you want as a manager.'