Portsmouth boss reveals impact FC Midtjylland new boy Rasmus Nicolaisen's already had and missing assets he'll bring to side

And Kenny Jackett has detailed how he believes the Blues’ new Danish defender will give his team something different to Sean Raggett and Jack Whatmough.

Nicolaisen is set for his debut against Southend in the Leasing.com Trophy after arriving from FC Midtjylland on loan for the season.

The 23-year-old has made a strong impression in training since linking up with his new team-mates

Jackett feels Nicolaisen quality on the ball and left-footed distribution gives the team something they didn’t previously have at the back.

And the Pompey boss explained the Denmark age-group international is now pushing hard to displace the established pairing in the middle of defence.

Jackett said: ‘Rasmus has settled in well.

‘He speaks good English and has trained well.

‘He moves quite well, has a good all-round game, is a good size and you can see he has a nice left foot as well.

‘Also, he gives us something slightly different obviously with his distribution.

‘I think he’s very close (to the first team) now.

‘He’s a good option for us as a left-footed centre-back for the season ahead.

‘He’s had a good period of training now and is, of course, very close to the team.’

Jackett has been largely satisfied with how Whatmough and Raggett have performed so far, with the pair starting every game together with the exception of the shaky Carabao Cup showing against Stevenage.

But the Pompey boss has spent months chasing a new defender as a priority to ensure competition at the back remains strong.

He added: ‘Whatmough and Raggett have done pretty well so far.

‘They’ve done okay, played pretty well and are reliable people as well.‘Obviously, for Rasmus, he has to keep pushing those guys.’

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