Paul Downing handed first Portsmouth league start in 19 months in crucial AFC Wimbledon clash

The central defender was last named in a League One side in September 2019, when he lined-up against Burton.

However, Downing was granted 29 minutes off the bench in Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw at Accrington.

And this afternoon he partners Sean Raggett at centre-half, with Danny Cowley making three changes as Pompey enter their final two matches seeking play-off qualification.

Rasmus Nicolaisen and James Bolton make way, with the three-man defence ripped up.

That marks a return to a back four, with Lee Brown restored at left-back following his hamstring injury.

Elsewhere, Ryan Williams is recalled in place of George Byers, with Pompey apparently fielding a 4-2-3-1 system.

With Brown back in the squad, Alfie Stanley drops out of the 18, although serves as 19th man.

Pompey: MacGillivray, Johnson, Downing, Raggett, Brown, Close, Naylor, Harness, Williams, Curtis, Marquis.

Subs: Ward, Byers, Bolton, Daniels, Nicolaisen, Cannon, White.