The pros and cons of the Portsmouth candidates who could replace Christian Burgess against Peterborough and Fleetwood

The Blues are without Christian Burgess for the key clash against one of their League One promotion rivals.

The popular centre-back is serving a two-match ban after picking up 10 yellow cards, meaning he’ll also miss the visit of Fleetwood on Tuesday.

Burgess has been first-choice centre-back this campaign – and it’s a blow that he’ll be absent against the free-scoring Posh at London Road.

Jackett identified four options he has at his disposal as he looks for a temporary defensive partner for Sean Raggett.

Jack Whatmough, Tom Naylor, James Bolton and Paul Downing are all in the frame.

We’ve weighed up the pros and the cons of each of them taking the field against Darren Ferguson's side...

Jack Whatmough

Pros

The Gosport lad is the natural replacement to start at London Road.

Whatmough’s had his share of injury problems but has always been held in the highest regard.

Last season he was ahead of Burgess in the pecking order, with his knee setback against Doncaster a factor in Pompey missing out on promotion.

Kenny Jackett believes Whatmough is ready to feature following his comeback appearance against Scunthorpe on January 25.

Powerful in the air, composed on the ball and as good a tackler as anyone at PO4, the 23-year-old is a top-end League One central-defender when fit.

Cons

Despite being declared fit for selection, Whatmough’s potential return could see him face the most potent front line the division has to offer.

Ivan Toney, the third tier’s top scorer with 25 goals in all competitions, is back from suspension – and represents just one powerful player among the Posh forward department who needs nullifying.

Mo Eisa, Siriki Dembele, Sammie Szmodics and Idris Kanu will all play a part at some point, and Pompey’s defence will have their work cut out.

Whatmough has played one game since that Scunthorpe outing – a reserve-team clash at Exeter.

Featuring against the Posh will be a significant step up.

James Bolton

Pros

The former Shrewsbury man's deployment at centre-back against Arsenal was a surprise.

But Bolton's performance had plenty of fans purring at the final whistle.

The robust but fair challenge on Lucas Torreira, which left the Gunners midfielder with a fractured ankle, typified a solid display against the Premier League heavyweights.

Certainly, it was a selection in mind for the trip to Peterborough – and one that paid dividends.

Cons

Arsenal didn't have any real physical attacking players and that’s a reason why Bolton featured in the role.

But that won’t be the case at Peterborough.

Ivan Toney’s got almost every attribute you’d want in a striker, which includes carrying an aerial threat.

The former Newcastle man would be wise enough to avoid a battle with Sean Raggett – as he’d know he’d come out on the losing side.

However, he’d fancy his chances in any skirmish with Bolton.

In addition, Pompey are likely to find themselves on the back foot for the majority of the game.

Defensively, Bolton's stronger than Ross McCrorie and those qualities down the flank will be a necessity.

Tom Naylor

Pros

The skipper is going to feature at Peterborough – but his remit is yet to be specified.

He's the player Jackett trusts more than anyone else in his squad and feels Naylor's a viable centre-back option.

The ex-Burton man is already up to speed and comes into the clash fresh, after being rested for the game against Arsenal.

It wouldn't be a surprise if he’s deployed at the heart of the defence, even though he’s operated primarily as a central midfielder during his time at Fratton Park.

Naylor's been used in the rearguard on occasions this season and offers experience and know-how.

Cons

You only have to go back to that disastrous afternoon at Accrington to realise how much Pompey missed their midfield general.

The combination of Ben Close and Ross McCrorie proved too brittle and were bypassed far too easily in the 4-1 loss.

Peterborough have an inventive attacking midfielder in Sammie Szmodics who needs thwarting.

Since arriving on loan from Bristol City in January, he's plundered four goals in three assists in 13 appearances.

There's no-one who can sniff out the danger or offer the same sort of energy like Naylor in Pompey's squad.

Paul Downing

Pros

While he hasn't had a lot of opportunities at Pompey, Downing's a very experience League One defender.

He's spent the majority of his career playing at the top end of the division, with the highlight being promotion with Blackburn two years ago.

Jackett pinpointed Downing's improved physically while out of the frame and wouldn't hesitate to use him.

Cons

It's fair to say that Downing's time at PO4 hasn't exactly gone to plan.

Signing a three-year deal when arriving in the summer, the ex-Doncaster man’s well out of favour.

He hasn't made a league appearance for almost six months and been omitted from the past 14 squads.

Downing would be rusty – as he was in his last outing at Walsall in the Leasing.com Trophy at the beginning of January.