Kenny Jackett has said that the absence of attacking midfielder Andy Cannon from the team has meant that Pompey have lacked creativity in recent matches.

Pompey suffered a 1-0 defeat to Fleetwood Town on the weekend at the Highbury Stadium, which cost the side their place in the top-six in League One.

Cannon once again was not a part of the matchday squad, and has missed Pompey's last five games in all competitions after sustaining a glute injury in the 2-0 win over Sunderland at the beginning of the month.

Although the 23-year-old has resumed training in the last week, Jackett felt that the Fleetwood game was too much of a risk.

‘Andy trained on Thursday and was okay, but without really being confident that he was 100 per cent," Jackett told the Portsmouth News.

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Jackett then admitted that not having a creative outlet like Cannon in the team has affected Pompey recently. In the time that he has been missing, Portsmouth have lost twice.

"We sometimes miss a bit of creation in terms of our midfield players," he said.

"We miss a player that runs with the ball – and that’s what Andy gives us."

Jackett has deployed both John Marquis and Cameron McGeehan behind the main striker since Cannon picked up the injury, with mixed success.

However, the midfielder could once again be available for Pompey against Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday night at Fratton Park.

‘He also trained on Friday back at Portsmouth and on Saturday morning, so we are hopeful he will be okay," Jackett added.

The Verdict

Although it was thought that Pompey would be able to cope better than they have done, it is clear that the side have missed Cannon in recent weeks.

Jackett has said that he is close to being ready, and the Portsmouth manager will assess him his training session on Monday to see if he will be given the all-clear.

Cannon has featured a total of nineteen times for the club so far this season in all competitions.