Fledgling pair are revelling away from Portsmouth

The fledgling pair are away from Fratton Park earning crucial first-team experience.

Smith is at Bognor in the Bostic League premier division, while Alex Bass is out at National League South outfit Torquay.

Both have been regulars for their respective sides and have been thriving.

Striker Smith had scored seven goals in six appearances for the Rocks before yesterday's trip to Carshalton Athletic.

Meanwhile, after recovering from a groin injury, keeper Bass had registered three cleans sheets in five matches prior to the Gulls' game at Hungerford. And Jackett insists the duo are reaping the rewards of playing regular senior football.

The Blues boss said: 'Dan has started superbly and it's a good move for him.

'˜It's a really good angle and can really help you rather than playing youth football into the age of 20 or 21. 

'˜Because we don't operate with an under-23s group, we're slightly different. But it's an interesting angle.

'˜For Dan, it will do him the world of good in terms of his confidence.

'˜The quicker you can get out and get a foot on the ladder, wherever that happens to be, the better.

'He has a strong mentality. For someone so young, he's right in the head.

'˜Alex Bass at Torquay has done very, very well. Gary Owers has just left but was very complimentary of him as a goalkeeper and also as a lad.

'Obviously, the aim for the loans at the right time is to keep moving them up and stepping up the standard.

'Ultimately then they're working towards being a Portsmouth player '“ that is the end game.'