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Nicke nabs five at Newport as Pompey hit eight

If Kenny Jackett and his staff thought they knew what their starting line-up would be on the opening day of the season, it seems there are one or two in the squad who are out to change his mind.

Many felt the attacking players seen at Bognor on Saturday - Brett Pitman, Conor Chaplin, Kyle Bennett and Carl Baker, with Danny Rose and Adam May deeper in midfield - would be the ones given first go at getting Pompey's League One campaign off to a good start.

But Nicke Kabamba is out to impress Jackett and force his way into his plans, and five goals in an 8-0 win at Newport in the Blues' fifth freindly will have helped.

Jamal Lowe and Milan Lalkovic have each got on the scoresheet too to remind Jackett they are willing and able to play a part.

Kabamba scored a quickfire hat-trick with two goals before the break and another one immediately after it. Two headers made it five for the night at St George's Park.

It gives Jackett some food for thought and after the game the boss's No2 Joe Gallen praised Pompey's professionalism in putting their non-league hosts to the sword.

It brings to 25 the number of goals Pompey teams have scored in beating Salisbury, Havant, Poole, Bognor and now Newport.

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