Portsmouth boss reveals whether he's prepared to turn to Jack Whatmough again in Barnsley FA Cup clash

But the Pompey boss admitted he has to also be wary of not placing too much strain on the defender after his injury return.

Whatmough made an impressive return to first-team action against Scunthorpe in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.

Blues assistant manager Joe Gallen stated after the game the Gosport lad won’t be considered for Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Barnsley.

There are doubts over James Bolton’s fitness, however, with teenager Haji Mnoga and Christian Burgess Jackett’s alternatives in that area.

Opting for Burgess there would open the door for Whatmough to continue, and Jackett stated he wouldn’t hesitate to use the 23-year-old there again if necessary.

He said: ‘I’d have none at all. He had a game in the 23s at Plymouth last week.

‘That was a good game on their main pitch and then the Leasing.com on Tuesday.

‘He’s come through it and the knee’s been fine, which is good

‘Most importantly he played well on Tuesday and that gives him confidence.’

Jackett explained Pompey have set a programme which sees Whatmough take every precaution to continue building the strength of the knee, which was injured against Doncaster last February.

And he feels that is an attitude being echoed by the player himself.

He added: ‘People ask about the programme and yes we will have to be sensible with him in terms of volume of games and training.

‘On the other side of that he has to be as diligent as he can be in terms of his work to strengthen the area. I’m sure that will be the case.’