Kenny Jackett defended his decision to change almost half his team for the League Cup with AFC Wimbledon - and said you needed to use your full squad in the hectic start to the season.

As he warmed up for Oxford's visit in League One on Saturday he told the Pompey website: 'All five of the switches we made are players who I believe are genuine contenders that we will need over the course of the season.

'Managers usually make a number of changes at this stage of the competition — and it’s mostly down to the volume of games. You need a group that’s strong enough and it was nip-and-tuck and a tight contest that just went the wrong way for us.

'So after a poor ending it’s important that we start well against Oxford on Saturday and establish ourselves. We’re looking to continue our positive form in the league in a fixture that will certainly be a test for us.

'My focus is on trying to play on the front foot and work as hard as we can to get into the game right from the start.'

Dion Donohue and Nathan Thompson are both out of this weekend's game but everyone else is available.

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