Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett fires a promotion warning to Sunderland, Rotherham and Coventry City

Pompey are one of a number of sides battling with Sunderland for a top two finish in League One, with the race for automatic promotion looking set to go down to the wire.

Jackett’s side missed out on promotion last term after being beaten by the Black Cats in the play-off semi-final, but the experienced manager is working hard to avoid a similar fate this year.

The Fratton park outfit were knocked out the FA Cup on Monday evening by Arsenal after naming a much-changed side, and Jackett insists that rotation is key as he bids to ensure his side don’t ‘run out of steam’ – as he feels they did last season.

“With eight games in January and February, as well as seven in March, the side is going to change,” he said, speaking to Pompey’s official website.

“We have quite a few players fit and available now and we have to use them – it’s no use if what’s perceived as your best side has no energy.

“Players want to be out there, but they can see the big picture. We ran out of steam towards the end of last season and we want to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

“There’s been a high volume of matches for us and a really tough schedule, so you have to use common sense.”