Kenny Jackett believes Pompey will be taking on a team with a genuine chance of making the play-offs when they host Blackpool on Saturday.

The Tangerines have slipped to 11th in recent weeks but are still only 10 points off the play-off zone.

Jackett leads Pompey into the game on the back of knockout wins over Norwich and Southend and told the club website: 'The cup competitions help you in different ways, such as with confidence and the development of the club. But the league is our number one priority and always has been, so the Blackpool game is one we really have to concentrate on.

'We’ll take the confidence that the players have and work as hard as we possibly to overcome a side who — since we’ve last played them — have had a successful time. They haven’t lost many games and have been able to put together a strong team, who will have genuine aspirations of the play-offs.

'Their recruitment last summer was excellent and, like all good sides, they’re built on a really solid defence. Credit to Terry McPhillips for what he’s done there since taking over.'

Ben Thompson and Joe Mason have returned to their parent clubs while Ben Close, Nathan Thompson, Lee Brown and Oli Hawkins are all still in the treatment room.

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