Portsmouth won't want to offload Brett Pitman in January

That's the verdict of News Pompey writer Will Rooney in the latest edition of Pompey Talk.

Pitman has played second fiddle to Oli Hawkins for the majority of this season, after finishing last term as the Blues' top scorer with 25 goals.

Pompey are currently four points clear at the top of League One as they head into Sunday's FA Cup second-round clash at Rochdale.

But the ex-Bournemouth man has only started five games in the division and failed to feature in the past three.

As the January transfer window approaches, some may feel Pitman could be weighing up a move away from Fratton Park in search of more game time.

But Rooney believes Pompey would be reluctant to allow a player of his ability leave going into the second half of the season.

He does not envisage Pitman departing in the new year.

'Brett Pitman is not happy now and he won't be happy,' said Rooney on Pompey Talk.

'˜Will Kenny Jackett look to offload him? No.

'˜As I've said, Kenny Jackett wants as many goalscorers, as many players that can change games if things aren't going Pompey's way as possible.

'˜Brett Pitman is undoubtedly one of those.

'˜He hasn't played a lot of football or appeared in any of Pompey's last three matches, and Kenny has spoken about Brett's frustrations.

'˜But he does think that will lift his performance when he does get his chance.

'˜So Brett Pitman, for me, I can't see him going anywhere in January.'