Ex-Sheffield Wednesday player handed Portsmouth recall to face former club as Danny Cowley makes two changes

George Hirst has recovered from illness to return to Pompey’s side against Sheffield Wednesday.

But fellow sickness bug victim Joe Morrell continues to miss out as Danny Cowley makes two changes to the side which lost to Harrogate Town on Saturday.

George Hirst has returned to Pompey's side following a sickness bug. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.complaceholder image
George Hirst has returned to Pompey's side following a sickness bug. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com

Hirst started his career at the Owls and is the son of club legend David – and ironically lines-up against the South Yorkshire club.

The loanee and Ronan Curtis come into the side for last weekend’s goalscorer Ellis Harrison and winger Michael Jacobs.

While Harrison drops to the bench, there’s no place in the 18-man squad for Jacobs, presumably on the basis of either illness or injury considering the youthful look of the substitutes.

Among Cowley’s seven-man bench are Harry Jewitt-White, Harvey Hughes and Dan Gifford, plus Gassan Ahadme.

The Blues are seeking a fifth straight League One victory this season as they face Sheffield Wednesday for the first time since April 2003.

Pompey: Bazunu, Freeman, Raggett, Ogilvie, Williams, Romeo, Azeez, Hackett, Harness, Curtis, Hirst.

Subs: Bass, Hughes, Jewitt-White, Ahadme, Marquis, Harrison, Gifford.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

You can support our local team of expert Pompey writers by subscribing here for all the latest news from Fratton Park for 14p a day.

News you can trust since 1877
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice