Intriguing Portsmouth line-up as Danny Cowley shuffles side amid potential formation switch for MK Dons visit - Blackpool and Spurs loanees also absent again

Danny Cowley has named an intriguing Pompey line-up for the FA Cup visit of MK Dons.

There are four changes from the side which drew with Derby in their last League One outing more than a week ago.

Dane Scarlett has not been given permission by Spurs to face MK Dons in the FA Cup. Picture: Simon Davies/ProSportsImagesplaceholder image
Dane Scarlett has not been given permission by Spurs to face MK Dons in the FA Cup. Picture: Simon Davies/ProSportsImages

However, it’s the Blues’ formation which throws up the most interest.

Michael Morrison and Denver Hume are named in the starting XI, throwing up the possibility of Cowley employing a back three and wing-backs.

Alternatively, Clark Robertson could move to left-back, with Morrison partnering Sean Raggett in the centre of defence.

That may then mean Hume operating on the left wing, rather than fulfilling his favoured left-back role.

Elsewhere, Dale Scarlett and Owen Dale have not been given permission from their parent clubs to appear in the FA Cup.

Dan Gifford is also cup-tied, so Academy youngsters Brian Quarm, Josh Dockerill, Adam Payce and Koby Mottoh are on the bench.

Pompey: Griffiths, Swanson, Morrison, Raggett, Robertson, Hume, Pack, Mingi, Hackett, Curtis, Bishop.

Subs: Oluwayemi, Quarm, Dockerill, Ogilvie, Tunnicliffe, Payce, Koroma, Mottoh, Pigott.

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