Pitman dropped as Portsmouth boss rings the changes at Oxford
Instead, in the ongoing injury absence of Oli Hawkins, Jamal Lowe has been pressed into the lone striker role.
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Hide AdThat has prompted a maiden Pompey league start for David Wheeler on the right as one of three team changes.
There is also a return for Lee Brown at left-back in place of Dion Donohue, fit again following a hamstring problem.
Meanwhile, Andy Cannon has been handed a first Blues start after impressing during last weekend’s substitute appearance.
He replaces Andre Green in the team, who was recalled by Aston Villa earlier in the week.
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Hide AdElsewhere, midweek recruit Bryn Morris is on a bench which also includes Pitman and Donohue.
Pompey: MacGillivray, Walkes, Whatmough, Clarke, Brown, Cannon, Naylor, Wheeler, Evans, Curtis, Lowe.
Subs: Bass, Burgess, Dennis, Haunstrup, Donohue, Pitman, Morris.