Portsmouth to get friendly with Brighton again

First-half goals from Lee Brown and Ronan Curtis saw the Blues beat Norwich under-23s at the Five Lakes Resort in Essex on Saturday – their first game since returning to training.

A friendly against Championship Bristol City at Ashton Gate has been arranged for Saturday, August 29, which is a week before the new campaign is due to start with a Carabao Cup game against opposition yet to be confirmed.

Now sandwiched in between both those warm-up games is a trip to Premier League Brighton – a match that will take place next Saturday (August 22).

The game will take place at the Seagulls’ Lancing training base, behind closed doors.

That has been the venue for previous pre-season friendlies between the two clubs, with Pompey taking on the Brighton under-23 side in each of the past two summers.

However, on this occasion, the hosts are expected to provide a first-team squad as the opposition.

Speaking to The News after Saturday’s success against Norwich, Blues boss Kenny Jackett said: ‘We have Brighton next week at their training ground.

‘With Bristol City on the other Saturday, that should take us through to September 5.

‘We’ve had some good friendlies against Brighton, they have been constructive games, fantastic facilities at their training ground.

‘As far as I am aware, it is a first-team squad. But exactly what they are putting out, I’m not sure.’

Pompey are not expected to announce any further first-team friendlies before the new season gets under way.

They begin their 2020-21 League One season on September 12.

Fans will get a clearer picture of how the new campaign will look this week, with the draws for the forthcoming Carabao Cup and EFL Trophy to be made on Tuesday.

The Blues’ League One fixtures will then be revealed at 9am on Friday.