Former Pompey defender Matt Casey training with Gosport Borough

Matt Casey has been training with Gosport Borough following his Pompey release.
Matt Casey, left, in action for Pompey against Bognor last summer. Picture: Tommy McMillanMatt Casey, left, in action for Pompey against Bognor last summer. Picture: Tommy McMillan
Matt Casey, left, in action for Pompey against Bognor last summer. Picture: Tommy McMillan

And manager Shaun Gale is not ruling out the prospect of bringing the towering centre-back to the club on a permanent basis.

The 20-year-old featured for Borough in their 2-1 opening pre-season victory at Fareham Town on Saturday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Casey, who was let go by the Blues last month after failing to make a single appearance in 2019/20, has spoken of his desire to get straight back into the Football League.

Gale revealed the defender has trials lined up at National League outfit Yeovil Town and an unnamed club.

But he is not ruling out the possibility of Casey - who made three Checkatrade Trophy starts for Pompey in 2018/19 - joining Borough.

'Matt did play for us on Saturday,' said the Gosport boss.

‘He’s going on trial at a pro club but he’s been training with me since day one.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘Apart from the first session, he’s been with us all the time.

‘Matt is hopeful of getting a break back into the pro game.

‘I’d like to sign him but it’s a difficult one. Obviously he has aspirations and I don’t blame him, he wants to break into the pro game.

‘But he’s another one who would benefit from playing men’s football.

‘If he can go and get a club full-time of course he’s going to do that, I wouldn’t expect him not to.

‘But I would like to sign him.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘He’s got some trials arranged that his agent has sorted out for him, so fair play to him.

‘I like Matt, he’s a good lad and I’ve got no problem with him training and playing for us at the moment.'

Casey had a loan spell at Gosport in 2018/19 season but was on the sidelines for much of that after fracturing his collarbone.

He also had brief spells at the Hawks and Bognor last term as he searched for regular minutes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But Gale believes what Casey needs is a consistent run of matches in men's football.

'He was here a couple of seasons ago and broke his shoulder,' he added.

‘I would like to get hold of him but we’re not 100 per cent at the moment.

'He’s a good lad, a quiet lad.

‘It’s hard for these kids, especially now with Covid, it’s made it even harder.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘Managers at league level are going to have smaller squads and they’re going to look at lads and go ‘not really played a lot in the league, I’ll go for experience because I’ve got to’.

‘It might be, not just with Matt, that they might take a step back to go forward if they believe in their ability.

‘If you’re playing men’s football week in week out, you’re only going to improve.'