The preparation for the 2017/18 season begins
Kenny Jackett has recevied a first look at his Pompey charges in action.
The squad returned to their Copnor base for the opening day of pre-season training following the summer break.
It is the first stage of the road to reaching peak physical condition ahead of August’s League One opener against Rochdale.
Friendly matches against Salisbury, Hawks, Eastleigh, Newport, Bournemouth and Crawley will help with that progress and Jackett is not taking them lightly.
The Blues boss said: “The players are enthusiastic and now it’s my job to point them in the right direction and make sure the momentum keeps going.
“We’ll assess their fitness and get to know them on a personal level. We have to be ready for that first game against Rochdale.
“I put a lot of emphasis on the pre-season friendlies – and we start at Salisbury on Saturday.
"We have to be ready for that first game against Rochdale."
“We want to play well and we want to entertain – but above all, we want to win.
“The players haven’t played for a few weeks now, although we want to get back into the groove as quickly as possible.”
Pompey are competing at a higher level this season following last term’s fourth tier title triumph and Jackett does not think they have anything to be afraid of.
He said: “League One is a very good and competitive division – it’s one that we respect, but certainly won’t be fearing. We look forward to the challenge.”
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