Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett has dropped a hint that Reeco Hackett-Fairchild could be set for a start tonight in place of winger Ronan Curtis when Exeter City come to town.

Portsmouth face Exeter at Fratton Park in the Leasing.com Trophy semi-final.

Hackett-Fairchild arrived at the club in January from National League side Bromley and his only game so far came in the Leasing.com Trophy against Walsall last month.

A rest for Curtis would ensure that he is fit and firing for the hectic schedule that Portsmouth have coming up with 11 fixtures to play between now and the end of March.

Speaking to Portsmouth.co.uk ahead of the Exeter clash, Jackett said: "Hackett-Fairchild can play there and has waited patiently. He will need a chance, he’s not had an opportunity yet.

"The three wingers are quite hard to shift for Reeco at the moment, he has to keep pushing.

Test your knowledge of Portsmouth with this quiz - Can you get 14 out of 14? "Resting Ronan is a consideration, definitely.
"When he has had a rest in the past, he has come back strong and I think, from time-to-time, it doesn’t do anybody any harm just to have a little bit of a breather and go again.
"We are always assessing those things. Similarly, for Ronan, I know what he is like. If he can play against Exeter and score that will lift him as well."

Curtis has been one of the key men for Portsmouth this season as they push for promotion to the Championship.

The 23-year-old has scored 11 goals in 28 league appearances this campaign as Jackett's men currently sit sixth in the table with games in hand on the teams around them.

Portsmouth have manged to get past Northampton Town, Walsall and Scunthorpe United during the knockout stages of the Leasing.com Trophy so far.

The League One side are the current holders of the cup having beaten Sunderland on penalties last season at Wembley.

The Verdict

Hackett-Fairchild will need to take his chance if he is presented with it tonight.

He has found it difficult to break into the matchday squad at Fratton Park since arriving and the Leasing.com Trophy will present him with the perfect opportunity to show what he is capable of against a League Two side.