Joe Gallen on 'disappointed' Jordy Hiwula's chances of becoming Portsmouth first-team regular - starting at Peterborough

That’s the admission of Joe Gallen – who has backed the striker to now break into the Blues first-team on a more regular basis.

Hiwula will be handed a start against Peterborough tonight in the Papa John’s Trophy.

He has made just six appearances this season, of which only 10 minutes have come in League One action.

That lack of involvement led the Blues’ management to fear the former Coventry man could leave upon this month’s expiry of his temporary contract.

Instead Hiwula opted to sign a fresh deal until the season’s end.

Assistant boss Gallen said: ‘Yes, I was concerned Jordy would leave us this month.

‘I think people are always on the look-out for centre-forwards and they would have seen his goal against King’s Lynn and the goals against Cheltenham.

‘They would also have seen the lack of opportunity so far – so I’m very pleased that he’s staying.

‘He’s a very, very good finisher and I’m hopeful he is going to push our strikers and centre-forwards even more than he already has in order to get into the team.

‘Jordy hasn’t really played too many minutes in the league, and I know he’s disappointed by that, but he is eager to prove himself and try to get a starting position.

‘He had a couple of chances when he came on at Bristol City. It was a good save by Dan Bentley, on another day I would back him to score.

‘With Jordy, Ellis (Harrison), John (Marquis), Ronan and Marcus (Harness) they are all forwards and – in some ways – all could play up front if they had to.

‘Jordy has been patient and needs to put himself above those players in the pecking order. I think there's a good chance he will as time goes.’

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