Portsmouth boss has final say on Chaplin reunion against Coventry

The final decision will rest with the Blues on a Chaplin appearance in the League One fixture at the Ricoh Arena.

The topic of the 21-year-old's eligibility for the game has again resurfaced in the countdown to the trip to the Sky Blues.

But The News understands the details of the move remain the academy graduate can only play if Pompey grant permission.

Chaplin switched to the midlands outfit on loan at the end of August, with the deal becoming permanent in January for a fee in the region of £500,000.

Confusion arose in the wake of the transfer over whether he could play when the two sides met in their first league encounter of the campaign.

That's after Coventry boss Mark Robins suggested the striker would be available for the game, but not if the two sides drew each other in cup competition.

However, that's not the case, with Pompey set to leave the decision in Kenny Jackett's hands.

Coventry are likely to argue their key summer signing being available for the game would be in the spirit of the agreement, with it put in place to action the move after the permanent window closed until January on August 9.

Pompey have previously found themselves at the centre of controversy over loan players turning out for them.

In the Premier League, Lomana Lualua famously scored for Harry Redknapp's side against Newcastle in 2004, after signing a temporary deal.

That led to rule change in the top flight saying players couldn't feature against their parent clubs.

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