It would be '˜ridiculous' to let Chaplin play against Portsmouth

That's the verdict of Pompey reporter Jordan Cross, who sees no reason why the Blues would allow the on-loan striker to potentially affect their chances of promotion this season.

Chaplin is currently at the Sky Blues, after departing Fratton Park at the end of August in a temporary switch.

It's a deal, however, that will be made permanent in January.

And it's that two-tiered structure of his move to the Ricoh Arena that has led to confusion over whether the Blues academy product can feature against Pompey.

It's been reported Coventry boss Mark Robins believes Chaplin can play against his former Fratton Park team-mates.

But Pompey insist it's totally their decision '“ as reported by The News.

And speaking in the latest edition of Pompey Talk, Cross claimed there's no reason why Blues boss Kenny Jackett would even contemplate allowing Chaplin to feature against his side.

He said: 'There has been this real sort of debate over whether he can play or not, which was really kicked off by Mark Robins saying he believed he could play next Tuesday.

'So we sort of did our due diligence on that one and firmly know in the contract that Pompey hold the cards with that.

'It's down to the club - and it's down to the manager to decide, Kenny Jackett, 

'It's he who holds the cards on whether he plays or not.

'There was conflicting stories from both camps, and I know speaking to Conor, actually, that the contract changed quite a lot in the final hours, so that's where maybe there's been a difference of opinion.

'But certainly the contract's been checked, certainly from the Pompey end, and they know it is down to them whether Conor plays.

'Now, from the Coventry point of view, they would say: 'Well, okay, in the spirit of the deal, it is a loan, but effectively, it's a loan to a permanent because it was done in the loan window. It is a permanent, effectively, come on, let the guy play'.

'Pompey, from their side of the deal, they're saying, to the letter of the law, it's a loan. It's not like the Premier League where they can't play against the parent club, it's different there. It's down to Pompey whether they chose or not.

'What if they let Conor play and he scored the winner? It would be ridiculous of Pompey.

'I can't see it happening and I would be very, very surprised if that was the case.

'You would never hear the end of it, and rightly so, by the way.'

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