Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett explains why he dropped Ellis Harrison at Coventry

The striker was surprisingly dropped for last night’s trip to promotion rivals Coventry at St Andrew’s.

Instead he was named on the bench, with John Marquis handed a recall in the lone striking role.

The Blues lost a tight encounter 1-0, courtesy of Matty Godden’s 84th-minute winner.

Harrison, however, made a sizeable impact when introduced into the action for Marquis on 63 minutes, with Marko Marosi keeping out his first touch.

And Jackett lifted the lid on his decision for the selection change.

Pompey’s boss said: ‘There were not many changes but the centre-forward one is an energy position and they are both capable players.

‘Was Ellis tired from the weekend? Maybe. In terms of going forward we have six Tuesday-Saturdays on the trot so if there is some fresh energy needed we are going to use it.

‘With the boys coming on after an hour, I felt it gives our forward line some freshness and sometimes presents defenders with a different test to play against.

‘The substitutes did that and it’s frustrating it went from 0-0 to 1-0 down during that period, but that's the way it goes.

‘Like all of the players on the edge of the side, they are really pushing hard and itching to get back into the team.

‘For John, in terms of the first half I didn’t think there was a clear-cut chance created for him or that he created, that’s his game really.

‘When those chances come – being a capable player – he puts them away.’