Portsmouth are going to make plenty of changes for Tuesday night’s English Football League Trophy clash with Gillingham. 

Speaking the media ahead of the group fixture, assistant boss Joe Gallen has indicated the League One side will still have a recognisable Pompey team on display. 

Oliver Hawkins, Anton Walkes and Jack Whatmough are all likely to be out having sustained muscle injuries and could well miss Saturday’s home match against last season’s play-off finalists Shrewsbury Town.

As ever with the EFL Trophy, sides usually opt to give academy products the chance to make first team appearances for their clubs in a bid to gain experience exposure to competitive men’s football.

Portsmouth head into the game unbeaten in the league so far this season, despite being eliminated from the League Cup in the first round to AFC Wimbledon last month.

The Verdict

Kenny Jackett and his men are on a great run of form, and the Pompey boss will use this opportunity to bring in a few young players and mix his side up in the southern section Group A clash in the EFL Trophy.

Winning breeds confidence so, despite the injuries and inevitable changes, Jackett will be setting his side out to win the match, first and foremost.

It will be a much changed Pompey side, but as assistant Joe Gallen alluded to, it will still have some recognisable faces in it.

That will be down to Jackett’s determination and will to win every and all football matches while he is the manager of the club.

Not a bad trait to have, as a win will keep the momentum going heading into this weekend’s league match with Shrewsbury at Fratton Park.