Rasmus Nicolaisen granted debut as Portsmouth make 10 changes at Southend

The on-loan central defender is among 10 changes to the side which on Saturday beat Burton so impressive at the Pirelli Stadium.

The sole survivor from that 4-2 success is Ryan Williams, with Kenny Jackett rotating his squad to give them match minutes in the EFL Trophy fixture.

Alex Bass makes his first appearance since the Carabao Cup defeat at Stevenage, while Ben Close is given his first start – and second appearance – of the campaign.

Ronan Curtis comes back into the side along with John Marquis, who had both been dropped at Burton.

It appears Pompey are to operate with a back three consisting of Paul Downing, Nicolaisen and James Bolton.

That would mean Haji Mnoga and Cam Pring featuring as wing-backs.

Victory would see the Blues reach the knock-out stages of the EFL Trophy which they still retain.

Pompey: Bass, Downing, Bolton, Nicolaisen, Mnoga, Pring, Close, Cannon, Williams, Curtis, Marquis.

Subs: MacGillivray, Johnson, Harrison, Morris, Harness, Raggett, Jacobs.