Danny Cowley hints how Portsmouth can finally get the best out of Swansea loanee George Byers

But he insisted the midfielder can still finish this season strongly for the Blues.

Byers arrived at Fratton Park on loan from Swansea during the January transfer window.

Having played 39 times for the Swans last term – a campaign which ended in Championship play-off semi-final defeat – there were plenty of hopes the 24-year-old would make a significant impact in Pompey’s League One promotion push.

However, he's made only seven appearances so far, with just three coming from the outset.

Although Byers was an unused substitute in Cowley's first game in charge – a 2-1 victory over Ipswich last weekend – the former Scotland youth international has caught the eye in training this week.

And the Blues head coach hinted fans will see the best of the player when top-scorer John Marquis returns to full fitness.

Cowley said: ‘George is a really good player. Technically, he's very good on the ball, tactically very bright and loves to pick those spaces in the area we call the right half-space.

‘That's the area of the pitch I know he loves to work in and has great creativity and vision to find the right pass. I can definitely see him playing those through to Johnny Marquis, which I know Johnny likes.

‘We're going to see if we can add a bit of penetration to George's game and some work against the ball.

‘But I have said to George that our aim is to get him some structure to help him play at his best, while working with him off the ball.

‘Sometimes for these players, success doesn't happen in a straight line and we have to remember that.

‘George would have finished last season in a fantastic place, playing for a team that finished at the top end of the Championship.

‘This season hasn't gone as well for him to this point – but it doesn't mean he can't finish this season in a strong way.’

Harvey White was another central midfielder to join Pompey in the January transfer window.

The on-loan Tottenham youngster was left out of the match-day squad against Ipswich, although he’s likely to return to the bench for tomorrow's trip to Shrewsbury.

White is another player who Cowley has plenty of faith in.

He added: ‘We think a lot of George, as well as we think a lot of Harvey White.

‘Both are very organised and tactically bright players and we can definitely see a good finish to the season.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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