Kenny Jackett reveals what next for Portsmouth's Brett Pitman after shock MK Dons return

Exiled with Bournemouth under-21s since the start of the month, the experienced striker had not been included in a Blues squad for 12 successive matches.

However, that changed when he was surprisingly named on the bench for last night’s visit of MK Dons.

Pitman didn’t appear in the 3-1 win, with Jackett instead bringing on Marcus Harness, Cameron McGeehan and Steve Seddon as substitutes.

However, Pompey’s boss now expects the forward back in training at their Copnor Road base.

And he is adamant the door remains open for Pitman’s first-team inclusion.

Jackett said: ‘Brett has come onto the bench to give us some additional forward firepower, it was my choice.

‘He is fine, like all players he wants to play, but similarly there will be a time we’ll need him.

‘I do think that, because we have a big schedule at the moment and with Harrison out, we would be silly not to have a strong bench in terms of forwards.

‘I’ve never closed the door, if it’s the right thing to pick any player then I will. I felt last night the right thing was to have maybe one extra forward and take a bit of a chance in terms of defenders.

‘Brett lives local to Bournemouth, that’s part of it. He didn’t train with us Monday and came back Tuesday.

‘He will now train with us. For the days when he is maybe not involved, he lives in Bournemouth.’