The Portsmouth battle lines are drawn in right-back race ahead of Shrewsbury

Anton Walkes is winning the race to start Pompey’s season at right-back.
Pompey's Anton Walkes. Picture: Joe PeplerPompey's Anton Walkes. Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey's Anton Walkes. Picture: Joe Pepler

But it’s a case of ‘may the best man win’ in his hotly-contested battle for a Blues shirt with James Bolton.

Walkes has been the man who’s gained momentum across pre-season following the departure of Nathan Thompson.

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That’s after Bolton’s progress was halted when picking up a groin injury in the first warm-up game against Irish side UCD.

But the summer arrival was back for the final warm-up win against Woking on Tuesday night, and assistant manager Joe Gallen is an interested onlooker as the pair tussle for the starting spot.

Gallen said: ‘James is a very fit lad who’s fitted in well. He’s a right-back really who’s played centre-back a bit.

‘It’s him and Anton Walkes. It’s going to be an interesting battle. They are both good players. 

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‘James has definitely come here to play, he’s not come here to sit around.

Pompey's Anton Walkes. Picture: Joe PeplerPompey's Anton Walkes. Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey's Anton Walkes. Picture: Joe Pepler

‘He’s from Stoke, been at Shrewsbury and has come down here to play.

‘It looks like James is going to have a right go at this.

‘I wouldn’t say for sure but it looks like Anton might have the shirt, but James is going to have a right go that’s for sure.

‘What’s he like as a player? He’s very strong and very steady, a typical full-back.

Pompey's James Bolton. Picture: Joe PeplerPompey's James Bolton. Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey's James Bolton. Picture: Joe Pepler
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‘He’s got good athleticism, good in the air and his distribution is good.

‘Distribution is a big thing for a full-back, they know they have to come out, play and pass forward.

‘Then in the final third they have to put it in the box.

‘It’s a close battle - and may the best man win.

He added: ‘Anton has been playing well and James has been injured.

‘But he’s back now and there’s going to be a battle on.

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‘That’s only going to be good news for us because they are going to push each other into a good performance on a Saturday - and that’s what we’re interested in.

‘We’ll encourage both because there’s development in them both and they are going to improve.

‘Then the manager has to pick one of them - and we’ll see who comes out on top.’