Ex-Millwall and Wolves boss Kenny Jackett pledges health concerns won't derail Pompey promotion ambition

The Blues boss is to take time away from Fratton Park from Thursday to undergo a ‘medical procedure’.

Instead assistant manager Joe Gallen will oversee Pompey in a caretaker capacity, aided by first-team coach Jake Wigley.

Jackett, however, will take his side for tomorrow night’s trip to Bristol Rovers as they seek to strengthen their promotion push.

The fourth-placed Blues are one point adrift of second-placed Hull with two games in hand.

The 59-year-old will not be at the helm for Saturday’s visit of Blackpool, with a Thursday operation scheduled to remove a mole on his forearm.

He is then pencilled in for a two-week absence to recover, missing at least four games.

Yet Jackett has every intention of driving Pompey to promotion following successive seasons of reaching the play-off semi-finals.

The Blues boss told The News: ‘I’m fine, I need an operation on my arm, I’m going in on Thursday to have that procedure done.

‘The advice I’ve been given is I’ll need around about two weeks off to rest and recuperate. In the meantime, Joe Gallen will be in charge, but obviously via video link and phone I will be very much involved and wanting to make sure that preparation for the players remains as consistent as possible.

‘I feel fine within myself now and will definitely be pushing to get back.

‘I understand that it’s preventative surgery and also elective surgery, but in these covid times you do have to be very correct in your procedures and what you do. And respect as well.

‘For me, I’ll take the advice that I will need to rest and recuperate. Hopefully I can be back very quickly.

‘From my point of view, we want to make sure preparation for the players is as consistent – and as spot on – as we possibly can.

‘Tactically, physically and mentally, the approach to the games can stay very much the same in this period, we have a great run of games coming up and one of the sides again in the play-off positions and looking to try to get one of those three promotion spots.

‘Our aim is for the season not to be affected – and we will be making sure as a staff that it’s the case.’

In a statement earlier today, the club revealed plans for Jackett to take a short break from the club.

Pompey’s statement said: ‘Portsmouth Football Club can advise that, with effect from this Thursday (February 18), Kenny Jackett will not be in attendance at matches or training sessions following a medical procedure that will require a short period of rest and recuperation.

‘Assistant manager Joe Gallen will operate in a caretaker capacity during this time and will be assisted by first team coach Jake Wigley.

‘Kenny will remain in constant contact with them both, while also able to speak to the players via video link before and after games, as well as at half-time.

‘We wish Kenny a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back shortly.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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