The Oxford United fear driving Portsmouth striker on in play-offs

And the Pompey striker told how the thought of letting his team-mates down has been providing the motivation in his side’s bid to reach the Championship.

Kenny Jackett’s men will end a competitive lay-off of nearly four months when they take on the U’s in the first leg of their play-off semi-final on Friday evening.

Pompey spent a substantial amount of that period training in isolation and socially distant work before contact resumed at their Roko base.

Harrison explained there’s been moments when doing the work to maintain sharpness and stamina has been challenging with no prospect of games on the horizon.

But simply considering what the opposition are doing has stiffened his resolve in the more testing times.

‘The S&Cs (strength and conditioning coaches) were sending us things to do so we didn’t get unfit and lazy.

‘I’ve got mates in the Championship and I know how hard they were working before we started.

‘Then you think about Oxford and what they’re doing. If you’re resting, are they resting? Probably not.

‘So I find myself pushing myself to be at the best level I can.

‘Even when there were days when I was thinking “oh my lord I’m not going outside today”, you get it done.

‘It’s because you’re thinking about the other teams and are they resting.

‘There’s even your team-mates. Is Lee Brown resting? No, because I’ve been speaking to him and he’s just been training. It pushes you to do more.’

Harrison has Championship experience after arriving at Pompey from Ipswich last summer, following their relegation from the second tier.

He knows what is going to be required to get back there now, and the notion of being the player at fault for that not happening is another serious source of inspiration go into the U’s game.

Harrison added ‘I just think it’s down to are you going to be the one to let the team down on July 3?

‘I don’t want to be that person and I know no one else does.

‘So that’s why we’re training so hard. We want to show we’re good enough to be in the Championship.

‘I’ve been there and I know what a tough league it is.

‘Now these three games are going to determine if we’re good enough.’

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