Where Kenny Jackett sees flexible Brandon Haunstrup's Portsmouth position

The Waterlooville youngster marked his return from knee surgery with a surprise substitute appearance against AFC Wimbledon.

He replaced James Bolton at right-back in the second half of Saturday’s 2-1 victory, a role he has become increasingly familiar with.

After introduced against Southend in November in place of the injured Ross McCrorie, the left-footer went on to be granted five starts on the opposite flank.

Then he himself was sidelined with a meniscus tear in his right knee.

Now Haunstrup is back – although not necessarily at right-back.

Jackett said: ‘I think Brandon is a left sider, I think he is a left-back.

‘We put him right-back at that particular time when McCrorie got injured against Southend. I didn’t have a recognised right-back on the bench, with quite a lot of attacking options instead.

‘It was quite early in the game so I didn’t just want to throw a forward in there. Anyway, we put him there and he played very well.

‘Brandon made a lot of chances, had a run there of winning games and he was scoring and making goals, that was good to see as well.

‘These things happen, your team wins and he kept finding space, at Harrogate they showed him inside and he ran all the way and scored.

‘But I see him as a left-back.’

Haunstrup has made 56 appearances since emerging through the Academy ranks.

He is out of contract in the summer and can walk away from the Blues if he wishes, although the club may be entitled to compensation.

Still, the 23-year-old is currently challenging Birmingham loanee Steve Seddon for the left-back spot.

And with Lee Brown returning next month, that competition will inevitably be cranked up.

Jackett added: ‘Brandon had a little spell where the team was successful and tactically it was working out, he kept getting free, but I don’t consider him a right-back.

‘I consider him a left-back.’