Kenny Jackett has praised Anton Walkes for the way he has knuckled down and boosted Pompey since his personal problems earlier in the season.

Walkes was given a driving ban, a fine and a community order in November for driving without insurance and driving while disqualified - that after initially failing to turn up for the court appearance.

Things have looked up for him since then and he is now enjoying a run in the team, having come in at right-back to replace the injured Nathan Thompson.

Jackett told The News: 'Everybody makes mistakes — and Anton has come through it well. At times we have questioned his fitness and he has got himself fit now, particularly in the last couple of months. He has to stay fit, stay prepared and that will give him the chance to play as well as he has.

‘He has put in some good performances since he came in and, to give him a good compliment, we haven’t missed Nathan Thompson in the team.

‘There have been mistakes. You wouldn’t want those issues to happen, but that’s not the real world so he’s had a good go at sorting a few things out off the pitch You can see it now in terms of his performances that Anton’s got himself into a good place, sorted his troubles out and is playing well.

‘Off the field he has needed to sort himself out, which he has done. On the field, in terms of his training, his fitness has come on, his professionalism has come on and he is concentrating on his football.

‘That is getting the best out of him. ‘Anton has to recognise what has got him there, learn from his mistakes in the past. Nathan will be back in a few weeks, so he needs to keep up that form.’

Walkes is likely to continue at right-back when the Blues go to Oxford on Saturday.

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