Conor Chaplin played himself right into Paul Cook's thoughts ahead of Saturday's FA Cup clash with Macclesfield with two goals in a friendly against Crawley.

Adam Barton and Matt Tubbs also scored as a mixture of first-team regulars, youngsters and trialists overcame a similar-strength Town team 4-2 at the Blues' training ground.

It was a chance for the Pompey management to run the rule over a number of players - including some they may be thinking of pitching in for the Cup tie if Paul Cook decides to rest one or two senior men.

Meanwhile Cook admits he is still trying to find the 'blend' that works best for Pompey.

He told The News: ‘We have a squad which must be built on confidence, fitness and work ethic. We aren’t getting that continuity. At the minute the balance isn’t quite right.’

Pompey (v Crawley): Murphy (Bass 46); Triallist (Field 71), Clarke, Triallist (Nilsen 71), Haunstrup; Atangana (Close 60), Barton; Tollitt (Evans 71), Chaplin, Naismith (Bennett 60); Tubbs (McGurk 60)

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