Loanees still have a big role to play

John Mousinho insists Pompey’s selection policy is unchanged, despite falling short in their play-off ambition.

And he has ruled out axing his five loanees to instead hand first-team opportunities to fringe players over the remaining three matches.

A struggling Accrington side positioned second from bottom in League One visit Fratton Park on Saturday

Matt Macey, Owen Dale, Joe Pigott, Di’Shon Bernard and Dane Scarlett are scheduled to return to their parent clubs at the season’s end.

But Mousinho will not be taking them off first-team duty.

He told The News: ‘We are still going to take each game as it comes and to pick a team which we think can win the game, that’s our priority.

‘Not a huge amount has changed since Tuesday, when we thought we were in with a sniff of the play-offs if we had won.

‘But we still owe it to ourselves, everyone connected to the football club, and the whole league to make sure we pick a competitive side.

‘Certainly there’s an argument for not playing the loanees, but if all of a sudden we take the five loan players out of the equation it affects the side.

‘I don't think that's the right thing to do from any perspective, least of all to be fair on the league and making sure we fulfil the fixtures properly.’

Another route for team changes could be utilising young duo Harry Jewitt-White and Koby Mottoh against Stanley.

Although Dan Gifford, Alfie Bridgman, Josh Dockerill, Liam Vincent and Haji Mnoga remain away on loan.

Mousinho added: ‘The five of them out on loan and won’t be available for selection on Saturday.

‘Quite possibly Koby Mottoh and Harry Jewitt-White could be involved.’