Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett opens up on player omissions and why there's hope for those on the fringes

However, the Blues boss admitted it’s a job with fewer complications when things are going well for the team.

Pompey are currently operating with a 26-man squad as they chase honours on three fronts.

That means, on occasions like tonight’s FA Cup fifth-round meeting, there’s guaranteed be to several disappointed faces when a squad is revealed, with only 18 included on a match-day.

Friday’s 3-0 win against Rochdale saw Gareth Evans, Brandon Haunstrup, Oli Hawkins, Paul Downing and Reeco Hackett-Fairchild all miss out completely – and not for the first time this term.

Jack Whatmough was a surprise omission following his recent return from a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Craig MacGillivray, Steve Seddon, Ross McCrorie, Marcus Harness, Brett Pitman, Ellis Harrison and Ben Close had to make do with places on the bench as Jackett opted for others in his starting XI.

The manager is likely to alter his side for tonight’s Gunners game as he bids to keep the team fresh but competitive ahead of a busy run-in to the season.

Saturday's tough trip to Peterborough kicks off a hectic run of league games, with the Blues third in the table with 11 games remaining.

There’s then the EFL Trophy final against Salford at Wembley to look forward to on April 5 – another match that’s sure to leave a handful of players disappointed and watching from the stands.

Jackett said it’s never effortless being clinical with his selection – despite telling Brett Pitman he was no longer part of his plans last month, before recalling him for last week’s home win against MK Dons.

He also unexpectedly dropped Craig MacGilivray for the New Year’s Day trip to Gillingham and has played Alex Bass more or less ever since.

However, it’s a way of life he’s comfortable with as he bids to bring glory to Pompey.

Speaking at the News’ Pompey Fans’ Forum last week, Jackett said: ‘It's never easy (leaving players out).

‘It never has been and it never will be.

‘But, you know, that is your job.

‘You’re job is to try to be honest, constructive with what they need to do to get back in the team, and then show them some sort of light at the end of the tunnel that it could happen.

‘I wouldn't say it's necessarily an easy side of the job, but it is part of it, and when they sit in front of me and say: "you know, I want to play", you say, “right, fine, you come and sit here and see if you can do it with 11”, because it's very difficult to do that.

‘But, anyway, a combination of those things, you have to work at it, it’s not easy.

‘But I do think as well, for this group at the moment, there’s so many things up and coming that they are all trying.

‘You know the ones that are just on the outside and the fringes.

‘They can see it's a change and maybe they can get in.

‘There's an opinion we can get up, there's a Wembley appearance, there’s etc, etc.

‘So in terms of the group, when you’re going well and there’s a lot to play for, it’s a bit easier to handle the group.

‘If you are maybe fifth from bottom and people are out of the team, that's a bit tougher.’