Eyes on Gareth Evans as he's given chance to make a mark for Portsmouth at Stevenage

Gareth Evans is given his chance to lay down a marker in Kenny Jackett’s first team selection of the 2020-21 season.
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Evans starts in the Carabao Cup first round tie against Stevenage in perhaps the only mild surprise of Jackett’s team selection.

After lining up with the kids in the first pre-season warm-up, the 32-year-old is given his third competitive start in 15 games stretching back to January.

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With Marcus Harness being touted as a number 10 and Andy Cannon the competition in the middle, if he lines up in the middle behind John Marquis in 4-2-3-1 formation as expected.

Elsewhere, captain Tom Naylor is restored as captain after his play-off snub with Jackett calling the decision a ‘move for summer for football.

Bryn Morris is alongside the skipper in the middle, while Paul Downing comes in for his first competitive start since January at Walsall.

With Pompey in the market for a defender, Downing has to show Jackett he can be relied on after falling completely out of favour last term.

Pompey: Bass, Bolton, Downing, Raggett, Brown, Morris, Naylor, Harness, Evans, Curtis, Marquis.

Subs: MacGillivray, Mnoga, Whatmough, Close, Williams, Cannon, Stanley.

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