Luckless Portsmouth defender to miss out on Luton reserve clash after injury nightmare

Luckless Joe Hancott will miss out on a Pompey reserve outing against Luton Town tomorrow.
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The left-back, who became the youngest debutant in the club's history aged 16 and 161 days in August 2017, has suffered a torrid time with injuries over the past 18 months.

Hancott suffered ACL damage during an innocuous incident in training in October 2019 that forced him to undergo surgery.

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However, Hancott – who has made three appearances for Pompey – has made good recent progress from his long-term setback.

He played an in-house game before featuring for an hour for the academy in a friendly victory against Luton.

However, the Isle of Wight ace will unable to face the Hatters at Gosport Borough (1pm kick-off).

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Hancott has tweaked his groin and won't be risked given he's already spent a significant period on the treatment table.

Joe Hancott. Picture: Graham HuntJoe Hancott. Picture: Graham Hunt
Joe Hancott. Picture: Graham Hunt

Although Kenny Jackett's side host Sunderland in League One later in the evening, it's expected some of the first-team squad who need minutes will feature against Luton.

Ben Close hasn't played since coming off the bench at half-time in the Blues' 4-0 defeat to Hull on January 23.

The midfielder has been omitted from the past 10 match-day squads, although he was injured with a hamstring problem for a period.

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Paul Downing's once again been a peripheral figure at Pompey this season, with all of his six appearances arriving in cup competitions.

Meanwhile, Duncan Turnbull will start in goal after making his Blues bow in the 5-1 loss at Peterborough in the Papa John's Trophy in January.

Pompey have been unable to get the American stopper out on loan to non-league because of the shutdown of non-elite sport amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition, third-year scholars Harry Kavanagh and Alfie Stanley are also expected to be handed some much-needed minutes.

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Kavanagh served as 19th man in the Blues' abject 4-1 loss at Northampton Town on Saturday.

Likely Pompey team

Duncan Turnbull; Harry Kavanagh, Paul Downing, Izzy Kaba, Harvey Rew; Ben Close, Harry Jewitt-White; Harrisn Brook, Charlie Bell, Alfie Bridgman; Alfie Stanley.

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