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Gills are improving - and Pompey need to at home

Pompey's manager praised the improvement Gillingham have made this season - as he plotted their Fratton Park downfall.

The Gills had a poor start to the season, which included a 1-0 home defeat to Pompey in front of the live TV cameras in early October.

But they picked up in the middle section of the campaign and visit Fratton in the league for the first time since 2003 just behind the Blues in the League One table.

Jackett told the Pompey website: 'The first period of the season saw them in and around the relegation places, but they’ve been on a great run, even though they lost to Bury in their last game.

'I’m sure they’ll also be looking for that big finish in order to chase a play-off place, so we’ve analysed their strengths and weaknesses. But our focus is more on what we do and we’re determined to put things right to return to winning ways.'

Pompey go into the game without a home win since the last week of December yet still in touch with the pack of clubs with a realistic chance of making the play-offs.

The close nature of League Two this season is summed by up the fact that Pompey, in 11th, are just four points off the play-offs while the Gills, a place below them and only three points worse off, are eight points ahead of a relegation spot.

Jackett will be without Gareth Evans and Brett Pitman, both injured, and Nathan Thompson, who is still banned after his red card at Southend.

Defender Jack Whatmough is in contention after coming through a number of reserve and training games, but he may have to settle for a bench seat.

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