Disappointed Jack Whatmough has mental strength to face Fleetwood - Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett

That’s the verdict from Kenny Jackett, who is weighing up between the Gosport youngster and James Bolton at centre-half for tonight’s match (7.45pm).

Whatmough marked his maiden League One outing in 13 months when he lined up against the Posh on Saturday.

However, he was withdrawn at half-time after a 15th-minute booking left him susceptible against the outstanding attacking threat of Ivan Toney and Siriki Dembele.

Bolton took his place, shifting over from right-back, with Ross McCrorie introduced at full-back at the interval.

And with Christian Burgess still suspended, Jackett has a central defender dilemma.

Jackett said: ‘The two choices are to carry on with Whatmough or go where we were in the second half with McCorie and Bolton.

‘I thought it was a harsh booking for him, but then you are always on tenterhooks against quick forwards. If he hadn’t have been booked, it might have affected the decision.

‘Jack’s a strong lad mentally. He was disappointed to come off, definitely, but has a good mentality.

‘He has handled a lot of things that have been thrown at him and will handle this and move on.

‘He will be fine, he has coped with a lot of things thrown at him and will cope with this. He will be disappointed to come off, but understands.

‘Jack’s played reserve games against Exeter and Plymouth, the Leasing.com Trophy against Northampton and a lot of in-house games, they are never quite the same as playing a high-tempo first-team game.

‘And whether he’s coming back from injury or not, when you are on a booking in some positions, sometimes it's tough as well.’

Bolton faced Arsenal at centre-half and also acquitted himself well following the second-half reshuffle at Peterborough.

And the former Shrewsbury man is a consideration against Fleetwood.

Jackett added: ‘James has had a good season for us so far, he has been a very, very solid competitor and I do feel is capable of playing at centre-half.

‘On Saturday he didn’t let us down, but it was tough for the whole team against Dembele and, particularly, Toney.’