Portsmouth boss to make most of Checkatrade Trophy changes Â

Kenny Jackett has praised the easing of Checkatrade Trophy selection rules as he prepares to make sweeping Pompey changes.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Nov 2018, 14:32 BST
Updated 12th Nov 2018, 15:36 BST
Check-a-Trade Trophy group stage - Crawley Town vs Portsmouth - 09/10/18 Portsmouths Dion Donohue celebrates scoring his first goal of the match with Portsmouths Louis DennisCheck-a-Trade Trophy group stage - Crawley Town vs Portsmouth - 09/10/18 Portsmouths Dion Donohue celebrates scoring his first goal of the match with Portsmouths Louis Dennis
Check-a-Trade Trophy group stage - Crawley Town vs Portsmouth - 09/10/18 Portsmouths Dion Donohue celebrates scoring his first goal of the match with Portsmouths Louis Dennis

The Blues host Spurs under-21s tomorrow night, with their qualification for the knockout stages already assured.

In contrast to last weekend's FA Cup trip to Maidenhead, Jackett will implement widespread alterations to his starting XI.

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The necessity to hand first-team minutes to fringe players and promising youngsters ensures it will be a very different Pompey team featuring at Fratton Park (7.45pm).

Check-a-Trade Trophy group stage - Crawley Town vs Portsmouth - 09/10/18 Portsmouths Dion Donohue celebrates scoring his first goal of the match with Portsmouths Louis DennisCheck-a-Trade Trophy group stage - Crawley Town vs Portsmouth - 09/10/18 Portsmouths Dion Donohue celebrates scoring his first goal of the match with Portsmouths Louis Dennis
Check-a-Trade Trophy group stage - Crawley Town vs Portsmouth - 09/10/18 Portsmouths Dion Donohue celebrates scoring his first goal of the match with Portsmouths Louis Dennis

Fit-again Andre Green will start, representing his first appearance for more than two months, while Danny Rose, Anton Walkes, Brandon Haunstrup, Ben Close and David Wheeler can also expect to play.

There may also be another outing for 16-year-old Haji Mnoga following his debut against Crawley.

And for Jackett, the much-maligned competition offers positives.

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He said: '˜When chances come along, which they will do in the busy periods, what players have done in these games earn you that time in the first team.

'˜The Checkatrade Trophy has not necessarily relaxed but broadened the rules and widened the qualifications.

'˜It is now better. You would normally consider anything between 20-25 players for these matches, including development sides, and it should be your choice who you want to pick rather than rules saying you have to.

'˜It's difficult, though, because the authority's position is to look for sponsorship and if they perceive weakened teams and not as much interest, it does affect different things in terms of sponsorship.

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'˜The fact they have broadened the selection criteria this year has definitely helped the league clubs. I feel maybe it is now a little bit more positive towards this competition.

'˜We will change our team against Spurs quite a lot. We don't know how many yet, but there will definitely be a high number of changes.

'˜It will be within the rules. We checked the qualification criteria on Monday morning and I will check it again between now and Tuesday night '“ but we have got it right.

'˜I always would want to fulfil the criteria which qualifies us for any competition.'

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Related topics:Kenny JackettPortsmouthPompey