Pompey: May eager to develop partnership with Rose

And the Academy product feels the Blues would be able to cope with the strains of the Championship next season if the dream of promotion became reality.

May, 19, is battling with Carl Baker and Ben Close to partner Rose in Kenny Jackett’s midfield.

The youngster was given the nod by his boss to start the Carabao Cup first-round clash at Cardiff City on Tuesday.

May played alongside Rose, who appears to have nailed down a regular spot in Jackett’s starting line-up.

The Pompey boss has been keen to bring in another experienced central midfielder.

However, the injury to Tareiq Holmes-Dennis has seen him switch his recruitment focus to left-back this week.

May is ready to fill the void and feels capable of building a partnership with Rose.

He said: ‘Danny is a very good player.

‘It’s always a bonus to have a midfielder alongside you who you’re comfortable with.

‘You need to grow a partnership together but to do that you need a run of games alongside each other.

‘It was nice to feature next to Danny against Cardiff and I want to do so more.’

After returning to the third tier of the Football League for the first time in five seasons, many are tipping Pompey for back-to-back promotions.

Jackett’s troops matched Cardiff for long periods before Greg Halford’s goal in the second half of extra-time saw them beaten 2-1.

Despite the defeat, May was encouraged by the Blues’ effort in the Welsh capital.

And if this season culminates in promotion, then he feels his side would hold their own in the Championship.

‘I’d like to hope we could compete if we achieve promotion,’ he added.

‘Everyone has got to have that mentality going forward for the rest of the season.’