Portsmouth boss' verdict on whether Jack Whatmough is ready to stop League One’s most potent attacking force at Peterborough

The Pompey boss is adamant the home-grown defender is ready to start his first league game in 13 months at London Road against the division’s leading scorers, as he weighs up how to contain potent Posh.

Jackett has to find the answer over how to fill the defensive gap created by Christian Burgess’ absence, as he starts a two-game ban for collecting 10 games and misses out against his former club.

James Bolton slotted into the middle of defence against Arsenal on Monday and produced a sturdy showing against the Premier League side.

Another alternative would be to drop Tom Naylor back from midfield, as Jackett has opted to do at times this season.

But Jackett is certain Whatmough is ready to handle the intensity of taking on the Post - and stopping the division’s top scorer in Ivan Toney.

He said: ‘I’ve got no hesitation over Jack. When it comes around, he’ll be ready.

‘His knee is calm and it’s been calm for a few months. That will give him confidence.

‘It’s not like he’s been around a couple of weeks and he’s not sure. He’s been in and around us now for months.

‘The good thing is the knee hasn’t reacted at all and he hasn’t missed a session.

'In terms of confidence that is going to give him a lot of it.

‘He’ll be excited about getting a chance somewhere along the line.

‘Whether I can keep the same back four and put Raggett in for Burgess is one way, or Jack Whatmough in is another.

‘I could drop Naylor back and put McGeehan with Close. We have some options.

‘With Jack, somewhere along the line, he will need that chance and he’s been back and training long enough. He’s worked hard enough.

‘We all know what a good player Jack is and we see it every day. He’s a good centre-half.'

Jackett admitted the manner in which he changed up his defence against Arsenal was partly with this weekend’s Peterborough game in mind.

And Bolton’s first game as a central defender in a Pompey shirt certainly gave him food for thought.

Jackett added: ‘I was (looking at his selection against Arsenal with an eye on Peterborough).

‘I did think James would be able to move in one and do well in a game of that nature.

‘It’s a different type of movement and you’re not up against a big target man.

‘You’re not necessarily up against a physical threat, so quite often in those games you can move a full-back inside.

‘I still think James is a good option, though, at right-back or right centre-back. He’s got into a good groove at right-back in the past few months but he’s a good option (in the middle).

‘He’s played there in a three at Shrewsbury and it’s been a while since he did it in a four - but I think he can do it.’