Portsmouth hand highly-rated youngsters starting chance in youthful side against West Ham

With the Blues having already qualified for the knock-out stages of the Papa John’s Trophy, it’s an experimental team against West Ham under-21s tonight.

None of those who started Saturday’s 3-2 win at Ipswich feature, with the Academy providing the bulk of those on display at Fratton Park.

Harry Kavanagh, a right-back who has been on loan at Gosport this season, leads the fresh faces in the starting XI.

He is joined by Alfie Stanley and second-year scholar Charlie Bell in being handed maiden outings.

Harvey Rew and Eoin Teggart, who appeared in the competition last term, also come into the starting line-up against the young Hammers.

While skipper Paul Downing, James Bolton and Bryn Morris supply the crucial experience, with Alex Bass in goal.

Elsewhere, Jordy Hiwula is given his full debut following his arrival as a free agent last month.

Pompey’s bench is also well-stocked with youngsters, containing six first-year scholars and American keeper Duncan Turnbull.

Pompey: Bass, Mnoga, Bolton, Downing, Rew, Morris, Kavanagh, Bell, Teggart, Hiwula, Stanley.

Subs: Duncan Turnbull, Alfie Bridgman, Harvey Hughes, Seok Jae Lee, David Setters, Harry Jewitt-White, Harrison Brook.