Caretaker boss Joe Gallen addresses how long he expects to remain at Portsmouth helm

Yet he’s ready to again oversee first-team matters against Ipswich following last night’s 1-0 defeat to Peterborough.

Following Kenny Jackett’s dismissal, his former assistant is at the Blues helm.

In the meantime, Mark Catlin is heading the managerial hunt, with Danny Cowley and Daniel Stendel among those considered.

The players and staff are scheduled for a day off today, before returning to training on Thursday.

And, as it stands, Gallen is planning to remain in charge.

He told The News: ‘At the moment, I am going to be here until told otherwise, but, personally, I hope I am here Thursday and Friday - and hope to take the game Saturday.

‘But if I get the call, then I get the call.

‘Normally when Kenny has gone, they’ve got rid of me as well!

‘In our roles, these things happen and you just have to get on with it and be professional. It’s a privilege to be at this club, it always has been.

‘It is one of the best clubs I have been at, it probably is the best club I have been at in some ways. I have really enjoyed it.

‘If people above me say to take the team then I will take the team and do everything I can to get results and try my best, which is all you can do. Hopefully I will be there Saturday.

‘I’m not frightened to say this, but when you are the assistant, obviously the flak is on the manager, but I am part of all that.

‘I am part of the decisions, I am part of the recruitment, I am part of the training, I am part of all of it.

‘Obviously Kenny when he was here was taking all the hits, but I am there. I feel it’s my responsibility.’

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