Whatmough and Close feature for Portsmouth XI at AFC Totton

The first-team duo featured in central defence and the middle of midfield for a young Blues side made up primarily of academy players at the Snows Stadium.

They're joined by young professional Haji Mnoga, while American keeper Duncan Turnbull is between the posts.

Whatmough will be aiming to catch the eye of first-team coach Jake Wigley as he bids to thrust himself into Pompey's plans for the upcoming League One season.

The Gosport centre-back returned from his third serious knee injury of his career in January, making two appearances against Scunthorpe and Peterborough.

He missed the play-off semi-final defeat to Oxford, however, as he put the health of his young family first. His partner, Demi, gave birth to a healthy baby girl last month.

Close was also absent for the two games against Oxford, albeit due to being omitted from Kenny Jackett's squad.

The likes of Harvey Rew, Alfie Stanley and Gerard Storey are also involved.

Pompey: Turnbull, Mnoga, Kaba, Whatmough, Rew, Close, Storey, Jones-Thomas, Bell, Brook, Stanley

Subs: Pitman, Dan Cadman, Jewitt-White, Anderson, Jae Le.