From Pompey youngster to senior pro '“ how Burgess has aged

Roll on nine months and he has been catapulted into the first-team role of senior pro.

At the age of 26, the central defender represents the oldest player in Kenny Jackett’s two most recent Blues squads, such has been crippling unavailabilities.

Yet during the League Two title-winning campaign, he was the fifth youngest of the regulars, with 10 of his team-mates ranking higher in years.

Gone are Michael Doyle, Carl Baker, David Forde, Gary Roberts, Enda Stevens, Kyle Bennett, Amine Linganzi and Noel Hunt.

Meanwhile, Gareth Evans and Danny Rose are injured, while seasoned additions under Kenny Jackett in the form of Brett Pitman, Nathan Thompson and Stephen Henderson are also out.

Suddenly, Burgess finds himself as the old head on young shoulders as he attempts to oversee Kenny’s kids.

He said: ‘I was always in the young team for five-a-side games – now I am the oldest.

‘It’s just the way things have gone and provides a good building block for those boys out there getting games under their belts. It’s a fantastic experience for them and they’ll be better for it.

‘I was really proud to see them play so well at Fleetwood. It’s just unfortunate what happened against Blackpool at home. Whether more pressure comes into it I don’t know.

‘Young players can be up and down. It’s a learning curve, it’s a rollercoaster, and that is why it’s important not to get too ecstatic when you are winning and too low when you are losing.

‘As an older player now, you have to take responsibility, keep the boys in a good frame of mind and just train hard, try to lead by example if you can and do things properly.

‘If anybody needs any little words then you whisper them, it’s about keeping the boys going.

‘There is talent there, for sure. We’ve had a lot of injuries this season and it is testament to the boys who have come in and shown that they can do it.

‘It’s great to see the young boys getting these games under their belts, it’s a opportunity for them to play in front of a massive crowd and take away as much as they can from it.’

While Burgess is the oldest player, stand-in Pompey skipper Matt Clarke is, of course, aged 21.

Last season Clarke, Conor Chaplin, Jamal Lowe, Kal Naismith and Burgess were the youngest of Paul Cook’s regulars.

Now Clarke has been installed as skipper in the ongoing absence of previous armband holders Pitman, Evans and Thompson.

Burgess added: ‘Matt is a top player. Hopefully, he goes on to bigger things – and I’ll be really proud of him if he does.

‘He works his socks off and is very professional, always working at his game and leads by example in training, doing those extra bits which inspire others.

‘Matt’s still very young, but has played more than 100 games for the club, which is testament to how well he is doing.

‘I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes on and plays at a higher level.’