Portsmouth will be stronger and better against Peterborough United than they were against Arsenal

Christian Burgess after scoring a goal for Posh.

Pompey boss Kenny Jackett made it obvious where his priorities this season lie by leaving key first-teamers Ronan Curtis, Tom Naylor Sean Raggett and John Marquis out of his starting line-up against the Gunners.

All four look set to start against Posh at the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday (March 7) as might highly-rated young centre-back Jack Whatmaugh who has returned from injury just in time to replace Christian Burgess.

Burgess, a former Posh player, has been a star for Pompey this season, but collected a 10th caution of the League One campaign in last Friday’s 3-1 win over Rochdale so must now serve a two-game ban.

John Marquis in action for Portsmouth against Posh in December.

First-choice goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray was also rested on Monday.

Jackett said: “I did feel we could cater for both Arsenal and Peterborough by making good use of the squad.

‘When we played Exeter in a midweek game recently we played our full team and that impacted on how we played in defeat at Fleetwood the following Saturday.”

Ferguson added: “I saw the game, but it told me very little. Arsenal won very comfortably in the end, but we will see a different Portsmouth team.

“Kenny probably won’t change much from his normal team as they’ve been going so well, but he needs a replacement for Burgess and who he plays up front is another decision for him. It could be Marquis or Ellis Harrison.”