Homegrown defender determined to win new Portsmouth deal

The right-back’s third-year scholarship comes to a close at the end of the season.

It's proven a mixed campaign for Kavanagh. He's made two appearances for his boyhood club in the Papa John's Trophy.

But after impressing on loan at Gosport Borough, the suspension – and likely curtailment – of the Southern League amid the coronavirus crisis means he won’t be heading back to Privett Park.

As a result, Kavanagh’s outing against Peterborough side earlier this month is expected to be his final competitive game of the season.

He's currently behind Callum Johnson, James Bolton and Haji Mnoga in the Blues’ right-back pecking order.

However, Kavanagh will continue to train with the first team – and hopes to convince Kenny Jackett’s he’s worthy of a new deal.

The Cowplain defender said: 'I've just got to keep training hard. You could see against Peterborough they were big lads, so it's about getting the gym work in, getting my head down and working hard.

'There are still a lot of games to play this season so I can keep pushing the people in front of me and developing myself.

'I can improve in training because it is a good group. I can learn from Cal and Bolts who are in front of me and help push them.

'Seeing Cal play week in, week out in League One – because he's a good right-back at this level – I can learn from him and it's perfect for me.

'Haj also is a lot more physical of a player than me so I've got to look at that, keep pushing and hope to get more chances.

'It's a difficult one but when the decision comes then we will go from there. But I want to stay at this club and keep developing.

'I know I need more time but I've got to show I'm worthy of that.’

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