Harrison pushing for recall at Burton after second-half showing as sub against Latics
IT TOOK 269 minutes of frustrating football, but Pompey have finally opened their league goal account this season.
Nonetheless, they became the last League One club to do so.
Now, according to Kenny Jackett, the architect of that 89th-minute strike against Wigan is pushing for a recall in Saturday’s trip to Burton Albion.
Ellis Harrison appeared as a 58th-minute substitute in place of Marcus Harness in the Blues’ 2-1 loss at Fratton Park.
Paired with John Marquis in attack, his left-footed finish represented his first Pompey goal since victory over Shrewsbury in February.
A pre-season disrupted by a calf strain collected in training saw him restricted to just 45 minutes of friendly action ahead of the campaign.
Since then, Harrison has provided cameos off the bench.
However, following his goalscoring man-of-the-match display in Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the cash-strapped Latics, Jackett believes the striker’s time may now be here.
The Blues boss told The
News: ‘On Saturday, Ellis gave us a focal point in terms of our play going forward during that period, which helped us.
‘He got a good goal, although unfortunately we couldn't get the goal or goals which could have got us either a point or two points.
‘In terms of strikers and forwards early in the season, you are always looking to get off the mark if you can.
‘He’s a different player (to John Marquis), we will have to see what we can do in terms of next week.
‘Ellis has had a disruptive pre-season, he’s had a disrupted week this week and didn’t train Thursday, he had a bit of a bad back.
‘Similarly, he is available and will gain a lot of confidence after a disrupted pre-season.’
Pompey and Rochdale share the fewest goals scored in League One at present – both on one apiece.
Meanwhile, Jackett can be encouraged by the display of substitute Harrison which lit up his side during another dismal display.
The former Bristol Rovers striker registered his 11th goal in 43 appearances since joining in the summer of 2019.
However, his first-team impact has been hampered by niggling injuries.
On occasions last term he was sidelined by a back issue and then dead leg, but still made 25 starts in all competitions.
Now he has re-emerged when Pompey are desperate for a cutting edge.
He added: ‘Ellis has had slight injuries, but his availability for games is pretty good and his games record since being here is pretty good.
‘I don’t think that will change, ‘He has done well, he has been a good player for us – and looked bright when he came on on Saturday, very bright.’