Former Portsmouth and QPR winger explains why his Fratton Park loan didn't go to plan

The winger reckons he suffered ‘bad luck’ at Fratton Park because of the flying form of Ronan Curtis and Jamal Lowe.

Wheeler moved to the Blues on a season-long loan from QPR in August 2018.

And while Pompey fans were pleased with his arrival at the time, Wheeler struggled to make an impact on the south coast – as did Aston Villa’s Andre Green.

Kenny Jackett's men stormed to the top of League One during the first half of the campaign, with Curtis and Lowe at the fulcrum of the success.

Wheeler scored two goals in 18 outings for Pompey, although he made just one start in the third tier.

As a result, he was recalled by QPR during the January transfer window due to his lack of game-time.

And the former Exeter man, who's been a key player during Wycombe's promotion push this term, conceded there was little he could have done to dislodge Lowe or Curtis.

Speaking to Grecians’ Youtube channel, Wheeler said: ‘It's a massive club and has a great fan base. I was just really excited to be playing again and Kenny Jackett was very complimentary about me.

‘I was really excited about going there and getting some games. At that point, I hadn't played in League One and I was quite looking forward to that.

‘But it just so happened that Portsmouth pretty much kept the same starting XI for almost the whole time that I was there.

‘The two lads in my positions were on fire. Jamal Lowe got signed by Wigan for a couple of million quid (last summer) and Ronan Curtis, who is still going well now, had come out of the Irish league and took to it like a duck to water and did so well.

‘It was just bad luck, bad timing. I think it was difficult as well because I picked up a couple of injuries so I didn't get into my stride while I was there.

‘But I enjoyed the club. it's a great club but just didn't really work out.’