Why Portsmouth striker Ellis Harrison was confined to the bench against Shrewsbury

The Pompey striker has been struggling with a calf injury in pre-season, which restricted his involvement in his side’s warm-up games.

Harrison is now over that issue, but Jackett explained he feels the 26-year-old is still short of match sharpness.

And that factored in his thinking when leaving the former Ipswich man on the bench as Pompey chased victory against Shrewsbury on Saturday.

Jackett said: ‘Ellis has been behind in terms of his pre-season work, definitely.

‘He’s had a calf injury but is fully fit and available now.

‘Ellis has to keep working away because he’s missed quite a chunk of pre-season.

‘But should we need him - and we will - he’ll be ready.’

Meanwhile, Alex Bass is still battling to recover from the ankle injury after being take out of the firing line after a disappointing first-half performance at Stevenage in the Carabao Cup

Rookie keeper Ducan Turnbull was named on the bench on Saturday in Bass’ absence, as Craig MacGillivray kept his second clean sheet on the spin,

Jackett has been pleased with the restored Scot’s performances since coming back in and explained Bass’ issue has been slower to improve than expected.

He added: ‘Craig is a really good shot-stopper.

‘Alex’s bone-bruising is taking a little bit longer than we thought.

‘But as one door closes another opens and it’s an opportunity for Craig now to keep him out.

‘They are both good goalkeepers and it’s a strong department for us.

‘He maybe saved us a point with that save on Saturday but then we had chances after that, big chances late on.’

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