Portsmouth pair backed to fill void of Andy Cannon after suffering injury at Ipswich

The boss was impressed by the substitute performances of Ben Close and Bryn Morris in Saturday’s victory at Ipswich in the FA Cup first round.

Cannon’s started the past eight matches but limped off in the first half of the Portman Road tie with a groin injury.

The ex-Rochdale midfielder is set to be sidelined for a number of weeks.

Cannon was replaced by Ben Close, who helped the Blues deliver a 3-2 victory.

Meanwhile, Morris came on for John Marquis at the start of extra-time and his cameo also impressed Jackett.

Both are now competing for a starting spot alongside Tom Naylor for Pompey’s next League One fixture at Plymouth on Monday, November 16.

And Jackett believes whoever gets the nod can take their opportunity

He said: ‘It’s a big chance for Ben Close and Bryn Morris as well. Both came on and played well and helped out the midfield.

‘I thought Ben Close was excellent and Bryn Morris did very well and helped our midfield when they came on because Ipswich were on top of us.

‘I felt we needed to supplement our midfield when I brought Morris on. Our four substitutes did give us fresh energy.

‘Ben Close, Ellis Harrison, Bryn Morris and Haji Mnoga did give us that energy because when they’re bringing on the likes of James Norwood you need that because they’re good players.

‘In terms of our lads coming into midfield, they supplemented it, kept the ball and gave us a bit of a foothold again when Ipswich were top in that period.

‘We finished with a midfield four of Morris, Tom Naylor, Close and Marcus Harness and Harness did well when he was switched to the left-hand side and got into the game more.’