Bryn Morris handed shock start as Portsmouth boss springs surprises against Oxford

Kenny Jackett has sprung a shock by leaving skipper Tom Naylor out of the side to face Oxford United.
Bryn Morris' last Pompey appearance was May 2019 against Accrington. Picture: PinPep Media/Joe PeplerBryn Morris' last Pompey appearance was May 2019 against Accrington. Picture: PinPep Media/Joe Pepler
Bryn Morris' last Pompey appearance was May 2019 against Accrington. Picture: PinPep Media/Joe Pepler

Pompey’s boss has elected to hand Bryn Morris his first appearance since May 2019 when he featured against Accrington.

The former Middlesbrough man has suffered a torrid time with injury this season, but, after 15 months, he’s back in first-team action.

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Instead, Lee Brown takes the captain’s armband from Naylor, having himself won the nod ahead of Steve Seddon.

Elsewhere, Ross McCrorie dislodges James Bolton at right-back, while Marcus Harness is preferred to Ryan Williams on the right wing.

There is also no room for 14-goal scorer John Marquis, who finds himself on the nine-man bench for the League One play-off semi-final first leg.

He joins Oli Hawkins as Jackett’s striking options in reserve, with Brett Pitman not included in the 20-man squad.

Pompey: Bass, McCrorie, Burgess, Raggett, Brown, Morris, McGeehan, Harness, Cannon, Curtis, Harrison.

Subs: MacGillivray, Naylor, Marquis, Evans, Downing, Bolton, Williams, Seddon, Hawkins.

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