Joe Gallen reveals Portsmouth caution after Jack Whatmough's heartening Scunthorpe comeback

According to Joe Gallen, the 23-year-old will not be considered for FA Cup duty against Barnsley on Saturday.

But the central defender will next week be given the green light for the resumption of his eagerly-anticipated first-team challenge.

Whatmough successfully returned to duty in Tuesday night’s 2-1 victory over Scunthorpe, following 11 months out with a serious knee injury.

He produced a man-of-the-match display in the Leasing.com Trophy outing, completing the full 90 minutes.

But Gallen believes Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round fixture is too soon for the Gosport youngster to be handed another appearance.

He said: ‘Jack was due to play in the Walsall game a couple of weeks ago, but his knee flared up a little and was unable to.

‘He has been training for what seems a long time now, so it wasn’t a difficult decision to put him in against Scunthorpe.

‘The weather was never a consideration, he needed to play a first-team game, he was always going to play in that one.

‘Jack has been training for 4-6 weeks, training is one thing, it's fine, but it’s not real, you need a first-team game and he will be the first to say that.

‘The game last week at Plymouth was something, but this (Scunthorpe) is nearly the real thing. The real thing is 18,500 in attendance, but this is very close and he came through it and played well.

‘There is only one way to get fit and that is playing in these games. Training is training, that’s one thing and a good thing, but 90-95 minutes in a first-team game is everything.

‘But it wouldn't be the right thing to select him on Saturday after playing him Tuesday, in terms of physically and all those things.

‘After Barnsley, he is in the mix. Next week for Lincoln and Sunderland he is really in there and pushing to play.’

Whatmough had been sidelined since February 2019, after suffering cartilage damage to his left knee.

In the build-up to his return, he featured in a 60-minute behind-closed-doors match, before facing Plymouth in the Central League Cup last week.

He subsequently produced a controlled performance against Scunthorpe, partnering Sean Raggett in the centre of defence.

And Gallen was delighted with how the Academy graduate fared.

Pompey’s assistant boss added: ‘He played very well and I don’t think anyone is surprised.

‘He is very accomplished, looks the part, and knows what he’s doing. He doesn’t get flustered, doesn’t make many mistakes, his distribution is good as well.

‘If we can have a fit Jack Whatmough from now until the end of the season it would be massive for Pompey.’