Kenny Jackett reveals Portsmouth centre-back plans for crunch Peterborough and Fleetwood games

The Gosport lad is set to replace the suspended Christian Burgess for crunch games against Peterborough and Fleetwood.

Whatmough hasn’t featured for the Blues in the league since suffering a knee injury against Doncaster in February 2019.

That sidelined him for the best part of a year, with the 23-year-old making his return against Scunthorpe in the EFL Trophy on January 25.

Whatmough hasn’t played a single minute in Pompey’s subsequent 11 matches, however.

He was once again an unused substitute for the FA Cup fifth-round defeat against Arsenal on Monday night.

Despite Sean Raggett being rested, it was James Bolton who operated as a makeshift centre-back in the 2-0 loss at Fratton Park.

Kenny Jackett explained Whatmough didn't start as it would be ‘tough’ for him to play three games in a week.

With Burgess now serving a two-match ban, the academy graduate was kept fresh for the trip to promotion rivals Peterborough on Saturday, before play-off chasing Fleetwood visit the south coast on Tuesday.

Blues boss Jackett said: ‘James Bolton had a good game at the back, he was a good option for us, and to expect Sean Raggett to just keep playing every single game is difficult.

‘We haven’t seen him there for Pompey and I thought he played well.

‘He is our first-choice right-back, I think that is everybody’s opinion and it is mine. But, similarly, if we need him to slot inside I think he is good enough to do it.

‘We’ll see (if he plays there again). My feelings were really for Jack Whatmough, it is going to be tough for Jack to play on Monday and then play Saturday and then Tuesday.

‘For Jack to come from nowhere and play three in a week is difficult.

‘We have Paul Downing available as well.

‘I don’t expect there to be any knocks from Monday and hopefully we have good selection options because we are going to need them.’

Jackett made six changes in total against Arsenal and it was a clear indication he’s prioritising the promotion push.

Among those omitted from the line-up was Ronan Curtis, who was given a chance to recharge his batteries.

Jackett added: ‘Ronan puts a lot of effort in and wants to play every game.

‘But we saw last year we want him to go right the way through to the end of the season.’