Two top League One strikers to dislodge - but Portsmouth new-boy confident he brings something different

But Jordy Hiwula is relishing the competition he faces from John Marquis and Ellis Harrison to win a place in the Blues’ starting line-up.

The pair arrived for big-money fees – from Doncaster and Ipswich respectively – last summer.

Both played important roles as Pompey narrowly missed out on promotion in the 2019-20 campaign, with Marquis scoring 14 goals and Harrison netting 10 times.

They were Kenny Jackett's favoured strikers for the much of the season, limiting the game-time of Oli Hawkins and Brett Pitman – who were both released in the close season.

With Pompey in need of another senior forward after the transfer window closed, they snapped up free-agent Hiwula on a short-term deal until January.

As things stand, the former Coventry ace will be third choice in the pecking order when all are fit, with Harrison currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.

But that didn't bother Hiwula when signing on the dotted line. He knew what he was getting in to.

And the 26-year-old is adamant that his pace will bring something different to Marquis and Harrison – and the competition he’ll offer can boost performance levels.

He said: ‘I think all three of us have got different attributes. We can all bring something different to the table as well.

‘If we can keep working hard then we can do well for the team.

‘It’s healthy having competition around the dressing room. It keeps everyone working harder and that’s what is needed.

‘It didn't bother me at all that John and Ellis were already here. I am one for competition and I like the fact that there are other strikers here.

‘We will be working hard to get into the starting line-up and we will keep pushing each other to help each other.

‘It’s good that there is healthy competition around the changing room.

‘To get out of this league, everyone has to be going in the same direction. Once you get that, then there’s no stopping teams.’

Hiwula scored 17 goals in 61 appearances during his two-year spell at Coventry before his release in June.

In 2018-19, he was the Sky Blues’ top scorer with 13 – even though he played in a wide-left position.

It’s a central role where Hiwula feels he is at the peak of his powers, though.

And he's hoping to an opportunity to play as a number nine at Fratton Park.

He added: ‘I can play in any position, there’s not a formation that I prefer – whether that’s 4-4-2, 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.

‘I am predominantly a striker but can play out wide as well. I played a lot of games on the left at Coventry and made it my own at one point.

‘But I want to play as a number nine so we will see what happens.

‘I never felt I got the opportunity to showcase what I could do at Coventry. When you’re doing well in one position, it is hard to move into another.’