Defender Matt Casey targeting Football League return after being released by Portsmouth

The towering centre-back has departed Fratton Park after not having his contract extended.

Casey graduated through the club’s academy and made three appearances for Kenny Jackett’s side run to Checkatrade Trophy glory last year.

However, the 20-year-old didn’t feature once for the Blues during the 2019-20 season, instead being sent out on loan for spells at the Hawks and Bognor.

Casey’s set to undergo a trial at National League outfit Yeovil during pre-season.

And he's confident he has the attributes to forge a career in the Football League.

Casey said: ‘Obviously, it is disappointing to get released. I’ve been there (at Pompey) since I was 11 or 12, graduated through the academy into the first team and it’s disappointing leaving.

‘I had a call from the manager during the lockdown period saying it’s unfortunate that we can’t offer you a new deal because of circumstances.

‘But they taught me a lot and hopefully I can take what I’ve learned elsewhere.

‘It’s been brilliant playing with loads of different people, learning off so many different coaches and helping the club get to Wembley to win a trophy.

‘The next goal for me is to locate myself a new club, establish myself in the team and push as hard as I can to play week in, week out and get the chance to prove myself.

‘I’d like to join a Football League club but I’m not ruling anything out. If I do drop down to non-league then my aim will be coming back to the Football League because I reckon I can play and establish myself in it.

‘I just need that one chance to prove myself. When it comes about, I reckon I can take it and hopefully can show people what I am about.’

Casey was dealt a setback when he was sent back from his loan at the Hawks after just two matches.

Despite helping them beat promotion-rivals Wealdstone, Westleigh Park boss Paul Doswell felt Casey wasn’t quite ready for the physical challenge of the National League South.

While Casey knows that’s an area he needs to improve on, he felt he’d have acclimatised to the challenge had he stayed at the Hawks.

He added: ‘Being told they don’t think you’re ready, despite winning both games, is a tough one to take.

‘It was a bit of a surprise but the manager has experienced players he felt he could trust more.

‘He didn’t think I was ready and sending me back was the better option because I got to go out on loan again at Bognor.

‘A few more games at Havant would have helped me but it is one of those things.

‘Going to Bognor helped me. When you’re playing senior football week in, week out and getting that challenge at a young age, it doesn’t matter what the standard is.

‘Where I am so tall but so slim, I just need to get a bit better of a physique.

‘Once I do get that then I think I’ll become more of an established centre-half and have more presence on the pitch.’