Jack Whatmough relishing fighting Portsmouth newcomer for first-team spot

Pompey remain in the market for a centre-half addition, with Christian Burgess still to be replaced.

In the meantime, Whatmough has re-emerged to claim a spot in Kenny Jackett’s side.

He turned in a man-of-the-match display after fighting his way back into the team during the last week to replace Paul Downing.

As a consequence, Downing once again failed to make the first-team squad for the league opener.

And Whatmough is adamant he is ready to face any potential fresh challenger for his position.

He told The News: ‘Of course I would welcome a new defender, it’s healthy to have competition. I think that’s one of the things you need.

‘Rags (Sean Raggett) will be thinking the same – do the best you can today.

‘If one (a defender) comes in then it’s just added competition to carry on and hopefully that will make me better and kick me on.

‘This new lad, if he does come in, whoever it is, will be thinking he wants to get in the team.

‘It’s added competition, which doesn’t harm anyone.

‘Whether they sign anyone, it’s down to the club to make that decision.

‘I thought I did all right against Shrewsbury. I got the club’s man of the match as well, but didn’t get the champagne, so I’m fuming!

‘The main thing is for me to enjoy what I am doing. It’s about getting the feel back for playing games, so I’m enjoying every minute of it.

‘Long may it continue.’

Saturday represented Whatmough’s 100th Pompey appearance – and second 90 minutes in competitive action since January.

He made his injury comeback against Scunthorpe in the Leasing.com Trophy nine months ago, a fixture the Blues won 2-1.

Then there were 45 minutes against Peterborough in league action in March.

Now he has completed successive starts against Colchester in the EFL Trophy and Shrewsbury.

A week ago it appeared Whatmough was third choice to feature at centre-half – now his ranking has changed.

He added: ‘Hopefully I can get even better. My last 90 minutes before these games was Scunthorpe in the Leasing.com Trophy.

‘I can’t really count a friendly at AFC Totton, not that it wasn’t a test but it’s not the standard that this is.

‘It’s about keeping my head down, working hard and waiting for my chance to come. Hopefully it has come now.

‘I feel good, I feel really good.’

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