Portsmouth midfielder admits he wanted January loan exit when out of favour

Now the midfielder is determined to win a new deal at his boyhood club – but is comfortable with contract negotiations being put on hold until the season’s end.

Close was a peripheral figure at Fratton Park for most of the campaign under Kenny Jackett.

He started just two league games and consistently found himself either as an unused substitute or left out of match-day squads entirely.

With Harvey White and George Byers arriving midway through the season – from Tottenham and Swansea respectively – it pushed Close further down the pecking order.

And although it’s understood there was interest in Close during the January transfer window, he was not permitted a departure.

However, since Danny Cowley succeeded Jackett in the Fratton Park hot seat last month, the Southsea lad’s Pompey career has been rejuvenated.

He’s featured from the outset in seven of the head coach’s nine games in charge.

And Close is relishing working under Cowley.

He said: ‘In January, I was looking to play football. I hadn’t really played for months so, in January, it was something I was definitely interested in doing, going out on loan to play football.

‘Ultimately, it was to come back to Pompey and to play here.

‘It didn’t happen in January but to be in the team in the past few weeks, I’ve really enjoyed it.

‘I’m enjoying every minute. Training is great, I’m learning every day and everyone is.

‘The way we are playing, I do naturally enjoy it more because I feel like I’m getting more of the ball, but there are plenty of steps to take forward.’

Close is one of 11 first-team players whose deal expires at the end of the campaign.

However, Pompey hold the option of an additional year, having installed the clause in the contract he signed in April 2019.

All negotiations in terms of players’ futures have been shelved as Pompey bid for League One promotion with three matches remaining.

That’s a stance Close fully respects.

He added: ‘I’m just focusing on my football, trying to put in a good performance and help the team go up.

‘When the time comes to talk about contracts, we’ll talk about that.

‘I’m not getting frustrated or impatient about that. When the time is right, I’m sure it will happen.’