Kenny Jackett: Coronavirus won't wreck Portsmouth promotion ambition

The League One leaders have been grounded after five members of their first-team squad tested positive for the disease.

Scheduled fixtures against Swindon and Bristol Rovers have subsequently been postponed, signalling an early end to their 2020 participation.

Pompey had been in fine form before the squad’s coronavirus outbreak, claiming 10 points from a possible 12 during an impressive recent run against promotion rivals.

Now the Blues must sit it out while others take advantage of their inactivity, a period likely to see them toppled from the table’s summit.

But Jackett remains upbeat over Pompey resuming from where they signed off.

He told The News: ‘We have to make sure it doesn’t affect us.

‘We have the opportunity to train well next week if we can get back, which we hope so, and when everybody is clear.

‘Hopefully we can have a good week’s training and go again at Accrington, which admittedly will be a difficult game.

‘But it’s very much about us now looking forward, focusing and making sure we do everything we can to try to take the opportunity that we have.

‘We are in a good place and would have loved to have kept playing, but there is a bigger picture here.

‘If people have covid and are generally unwell, we need this circuit breaker to close the training ground down, self-isolate and get over it.

‘It does look like if things go to plan this week we could be back next week, so it’s not too much of a break.

‘You can’t affect it, you just have to accept it is what it is.

‘In this season, none of us can be surprised that there’s a little bit of an outbreak. It would be very unusual if you go through and have a completely clear run.’

Pompey are top of League One at Christmas for the second time in three seasons.

They are ahead of second-placed Lincoln on goal difference, being the joint-top scorers and possessing the league’s second-best defensive record.

The likelihood is Boxing Day will signal new leaders, with the Blues out of action.

Nonetheless, Jackett is delighted with the players’ efforts so far during the campaign.

He added: ‘I’m really pleased for the players, they have worked hard and should be encouraged and gain confidence.

‘Most importantly, they should be looking forward to try to capitalise on the position we are in.

‘We are pleased with what we have done so far and it is the right decision for us to close the training ground and call the games off.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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