No fresh Brett Pitman talks but Kenny Jackett insists Portsmouth recall still 'viable' option as he continues to train with Bournemouth

Kenny Jackett admitted recalling Brett Pitman from the Pompey cold is a ‘viable’ option.
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But that will only happen if there’s a build-up of forwards in the Blues treatment room.

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Pitman hasn’t featured since a substitute outing at MK Dons on December 29, leaving him stuck on 42 goals in 99 Blues appearances following a 2017 summer arrival from Ipswich.

Jackett revealed he hasn't spoken to the striker in recent weeks, although there were plans for a phone conversation this week.

Ellis Harrison (leg) and Andy Cannon (glute) remain injury doubts for Saturday’s trip to Fleetwood, although the manager retains hope they’ll be available for selection.

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But should they be out for a prolonged period and further forward-thinking players suffer setbacks, then Jackett will weigh up bringing back Pitman.

Brett Pitman is currently training with Bournemouth's under-21sBrett Pitman is currently training with Bournemouth's under-21s
Brett Pitman is currently training with Bournemouth's under-21s

The Pompey boss said: ‘We have obviously got John Marquis and Oli Hawkins, while Andy Cannon's best position is the number-10 role.

‘At the moment, they are the contenders. But I suppose if people don't recover or people get injured then that’s when it becomes viable.

‘I haven't spoken to him but I do owe him a call, to be fair.

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‘I don’t expect Brett to decondition. I think that he’ll be fine and he is obviously staying local. If circumstances build up then he is there.

‘Brett will train more at Bournemouth than he would if he was still here.

‘If you’re looking at the amount of games we have and training days, then, looking at (the condition of) our pitches, I think he would train more being there than he would if he was here.’

Harrison limped off during the first half of Tuesday’s EFL Trophy semi-final victory over Exeter with a dead leg.

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The former Bristol Rovers forward will travel to Fleetwood, however, with Jackett expecting him to train ahead of the game.

‘I think Ellis will be all right,' added the manager.

‘He’s travelling up to Fleetwood and I’m expecting him to train tomorrow.

‘He thinks he’ll be okay and I think that’s what will happen.

‘It’s just a dead leg, but there's no muscle damage and we're expecting him to train tomorrow.’

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