Portsmouth gear up for Oxford United showdown with Fratton Park dress rehearsal today

The Blues will undertake a full-scale in-house 11 v 11 at Fratton Park as they gear up for next Friday’s showdown with a place at Wembley at stake.

And Kenny Jackett explained his players will use the opportunity to get accustomed to what the experience of performing at an empty home will be like.

He said: ‘We’ll have at least two 11 v 11s on our pitch.

‘We won’t want to ruin the pitch but going on the surface will help us to get used to it, definitely.

‘Both play-off games are important but getting on there will help the first one. That can help us.

‘In terms of how the whole thing work we’re used to it.

‘We’re training and when we turn up we’re looking after our own kit and food.

‘We’re getting on with and we’re used but there is that dress rehearsal part of it, so we know what we’re doing and can concentrate on the football.

‘There’s also what Fratton Park is like when it’s empty which is a big, big difference from what is one of the country’s top atmospheres.’

Pompey have played two friendly matches to date against Championship opposition in Reading and Brentford.

There's no further games confirmed at present, although Hawks are keen to give Jackett’s side a test ahead of their own play-off bid the National League South next month.

Jackett added: ‘Brentford was a high standard game against a top, top Championship side going for the Premier League.

‘We’re very thankful to them for the game. All of their subs played and those who got on the day before against Fulham.

‘It was quite a competitive and strong squad and a good quality of game, as was the Reading match.

Both games tested us and it was really good game for us.

The decision making at that type of level really sharpens you up well.

‘We had all of the senior squad appearing.

‘Training-wise now we’ll see where we go.

‘Paul’s given me some dates and I have spoken to him, we’ll see.

‘Their players are coming off furlough so we’ll look at the dates, but they are looking for a game.’

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