BRETT Pitman has returned to Portsmouth training having been frozen out by boss Kenny Jackett earlier this month.

The striker, who spent two successful spells at Cherries, was exiled from Pompey and allowed to train with Cherries under-21s after Jackett admitted he wasn't part of his plans for the League One club.

But following an injury to fellow forward Ellis Harrison, Pitman was a surprise inclusion on the bench for Portsmouth's midweek clash against MK Dons, where he remained an unused substitute. He has not played for the club since December.

As reported by Portsmouth News, Jackett said: "Brett has come onto the bench to give us some additional forward firepower, it was my choice.

"He is fine, like all players he wants to play, but similarly there will be a time we’ll need him.

"I do think that, because we have a big schedule at the moment and with Harrison out, we would be silly not to have a strong bench in terms of forwards.

"I’ve never closed the door, if it’s the right thing to pick any player then I will. I felt Tuesday night the right thing was to have maybe one extra forward and take a bit of a chance in terms of defenders."

He added: "Brett lives local to Bournemouth, that’s part of it. He didn’t train with us Monday and came back Tuesday.

"He will now train with us. For the days when he is maybe not involved, he lives in Bournemouth."

Asked about Pitman joining training with Cherries youngsters, Eddie Howe told the Daily Echo this month: "It’s a win-win all round for us, I don't think we lose anything.

“But also it’s nice to help someone who’s done so much for the football club historically when they needed our help."