Joe Gallen admits Kenny Jackett's Portsmouth appearance today took him by surprise

Kenny Jackett, right, temporarily joins Joe Gallen pitchside for today's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Blackpool.Kenny Jackett, right, temporarily joins Joe Gallen pitchside for today's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Blackpool.
Kenny Jackett, right, temporarily joins Joe Gallen pitchside for today's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Blackpool.
Joe Gallen admitted he was ‘surprised’ to see Kenny Jackett at Fratton Park today – just days after the Pompey manager underwent surgery on a mole on his forearm.

The Pompey boss was expected to be away from the first-team set-up for around two weeks as he required ‘rest and recuperation’ following a medical procedure on Thursday.

Gallen was under that impression, too, as he took temporary charge of the Blackpool fixture at PO4.

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So he was surprised as anyone inside Fratton as the manager appeared before kick-off to watch the same from behind the dugout.

The boss will not have liked what he witnessed as the hosts slumped to a second consecutive defeat and their fourth in seven outings.

It’s a result which leaves Pompey fifth in the table and seven points outside the automatic promotion places.

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However, Gallen admitted at least something positive came from the game – proof that the manager is well after a 'successful’ operation.

When asked how Jackett was, Gallen told BBC Solent: ‘He’s just the normal, same Kenny, really.

‘He done amazing to have an operation like that on Thursday and then to be here today, which was a a bit of a surprise as I hadn’t spoken to him since Wednesday or Thursday.

‘So for him to come back, it takes a lot to keep Kenny away from this football club.

‘I’m very surprised but very, very pleased to see him.

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‘Obviously, his operation has been successful, he looks absolutely fine, he’s just normal Kenny and I did say he would be back sooner rather than later.

‘But even I didn’t think it would be this quick.’

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