What Jack Whatmough will give Portsmouth as boss weighs up centre-back's return against Scunthorpe

Kenny Jackett believes Jack Whatmough will bring ‘freshness and enthusiasm’ should he make his first Pompey appearance for almost a year.
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The centre-back is in contention to start tonight’s EFL Trophy quarter-final against Scunthorpe (7.45pm).

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The Gosport lad has been working towards a first-team return and completed 90 minutes for the reserves at Plymouth last week.

He’s also been an unused substitute in Pompey’s past two League One victories against AFC Wimbledon and Bolton.

Now Jackett’s weighing up starting Whatmough against the Iron, while there's also a reserve game against Doncaster at Westleigh Park (7pm).

But the Blues boss feels the academy graduate's presence would give his side added verve in a tie that’ll take place in front of a sparsely-populated Fratton Park crowd.

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Jackett said: ‘He will definitely be involved in at least one of them and will decide on it in the morning.

Jack Whatmough. Picture: Joe PeplerJack Whatmough. Picture: Joe Pepler
Jack Whatmough. Picture: Joe Pepler

‘Jack needs to play now, 100 per cent. It very much depends on whether I have a fully-fit squad.

‘Then after that, I need to make sure I pick a team that will be fresh enough as we don’t want to be jaded.

‘It’s a different type of game and different type of night where you have to get it going yourself.

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‘We want some freshness and enthusiasm as well, so a few fresh faces help in these games.

‘If you go with the same side, you can lack a little bit of spark sometimes, although that’s not through anyone’s effort.

‘There are a few that haven’t played who are champing at the bit and they can give you a spring in your step as a side.

‘If you’re looking at the balance of things, Jack Whatmough is 100-per-cent ready to play.

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‘He will play in one of the games, whether it is at Fratton Park or Havant & Waterlooville.’

Whatmough’s battled back following the latest knee injury of his career, aged just 23.

Jackett is confident the defender is fully over his setback.

The manager added: ‘It’s been a blow for Jack in a short space of time, but he comes and looks as right as rain again.

‘There is no limp or anything like that and in training, he’s looked like he's never been away.’

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