Evans firmly in the frame

Jackett provides boost for attacker after surprise cup start

GARETH EVANS has been assured he’s in Kenny Jackett’s first-team thinking.

The long-serving midfielder was a surprise starting presence in Pompey’s opening match of the campaign at Stevenage on Saturday.

He marked his selection by netting a first-half penalty in the 3-3 draw, which the Blues subsequently edged through a shoot-out.

Evans has scored 38 times in 216 appearances since arriving at Fratton Park in the summer of 2015 – and netted in six consecutive campaigns.

However, he was restricted to a bit-part role last season, with just two league outings in 2020 so far.

But Jackett is adamant the door remains open for the popular 32-year-old.

Pompey’s boss told The News: ‘You can’t write Gareth off.

‘He plays that number 10 role with energy and gave us a lot in the 76 minutes that he faced Stevenage.

‘Of course there’s a chance for him to play regularly in the side, we are pleased with what Gareth has done in preseason.

‘He has looked fit and lively this summer and that resulted in his selection at Stevenage – and he played well.

‘I felt as a number 10 his goal threat would come into it. He has scored a penalty from open play and it was a crucial one as well.

‘In that number 10 position, different people bring different things. And I do believe Gareth brings a goal threat.’

Nobody in Pompey’s squad has appeared more times and scored as many goals for the club than the midfielder.

With his contract expiring in the summer of 2021, potentially this could be his final Fratton Park season.

Certainly he was overlooked on occasions last term, with just 17 starts.

He did, however, skipper the Blues in the 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in March – the last time he was in the starting XI before Stevenage.

Evans was part of an unchanged side which lined up against Gosport on Tuesday evening, with his cross teeing up Ronan Curtis for the opener in the 4-0 win.

Pompey next face Colchester in the EFL Trophy on September 8 as competitive action resumes.

Jackett added: ‘It was a 4-3-3 at Stevenage with Gareth trying to run off the front man, but we released Bryn a bit more in the second half. Bryn got into some good positions and produced some good shots, without really executing it.

‘But he is capable of hitting the target from those positions and it’s good that he has the confidence to take it on.’