'Outstanding' Jack Whatmough should be Portsmouth's first-choice centre-back

And if it wasn't for his hard luck with injuries, the Blues Academy graduate would be operating at Championship level or above now.

That's the verdict of chief sports writer Neil Allen in the latest edition of Pompey Talk, which you can listen to here.

The Gosport ace is lacking in match action having recovered from a third knee injury of his career.

Whatmough returned from more than a year on the sidelines to make two appearances prior to the curtailment of football in March because of the coronavirus.

However, he played no part in the Blues' play-off campaign - instead prioritising the health of his pregnant fiance Demi during the pandemic.

Upon his return to pre-season training, the 24-year-old has found friendly minutes sparing as he tries to push for a first-team return.

It appears centre-back duo Sean Raggett and Paul Downing are currently manager Kenny Jackett's preferred choice heading into the season opener against Shrewsbury at Fratton Park on September 12.

The Blues boss went with them in the penalty shoot-out win at Stevenage in the Carabao Cup last weekend, while Whatmough was an unused substitute.

However, Allen takes a different view on who he'd like to see in Pompey's backline.

He feels 'outstanding' talent Whatmough should be starting for the Blues.

And Allen has found it 'confusing' why the academy product has not be handed more minutes in pre-season.

He said: 'Traditonally, Jackett preferred Jack ahead of Burgess when fit.

‘A few times he dropped Burgess for Jack.

‘When they were both vying it was always Jack ahead of Burgess.

‘It’s not like Jackett doesn’t like him.

‘I’m a bit confused why Whatmough’s not playing at the moment.

‘For me, he’s an outstanding defender and he’s got to be first choice.

‘If not for injury, he wouldn’t be at the club.

‘He’d be in the Championship or perhaps above that, I don’t know.

‘He’s an absolute quality performer, we all know that, but he’s had those injuries.

‘We’ve not seen enough of him since coming back from injury to see if he’s other them yet.

‘We don’t watch training, he’s featured in two first-team games and in one came off at half-time.

‘Jack’s a quality performer and if he’s fit and fine with his knee, he should be in Pompey’s first team for me - no question about it.

‘Whether it’s right or left, you’ve got to have a Jack Whatmough in there because he’s an outstanding talent.'