Kenny Jackett details what Portsmouth future holds for Barnsley loanee Cameron McGeehan

And the Blues boss backed the loanee’s form since he arrived from Championship Barnsley in January.

The Blues boss feels McGeehan can become a complete midfielder moving forward at Fratton Park.

And that means operating as a deeper-lying operator in the middle of the park rather than the number 10 position.

The 24-year-old was taken out of the starting line-up against MK Dons on Tuesday night, after starting nine of the previous 10 games he was available for.

McGeehan has been used behind a striker and predominantly alongside a midfield partner in Jackett’s preferred 4-2-3-1 to date.

But Jackett is clear about where he’s best suited to play in his mind.

He said: ‘I felt he needed a breather.

‘He’s come in from not playing over the first half of the season to playing all the time.

‘I like him, though. I think he’s conscientious, hard working and he has an eye for a goal.

‘I see him as a central midfield player.

‘People ask me what is he? If you look back to the early days at Luton under Nathan (Jones) he played as a number 10 behind the striker.

‘He can get forward and get a goal but, at 24, I see him more where he played last season for Barnsley, an all-round central midfield player who can do a bit of everything - including getting forward and scoring a goal.

‘But he can get back, compete, head, second balls, pass it and switch the play.

‘He has that type of range to his game where he can do well as an all-round central midfield player.’

Jackett feels McGeehan has quietly added his authority to Pompey’s midfield in his time at PO4 to date.

Although it may have been steady rather than spectacular displays so far for the former Luton man, the Blues boss feels his quality has been apparent.

Jackett added: ‘I do feel he’s played well and he’s quietly added to us - but he’s really added to us.

‘If you said what are his strengths, he has a good all-round game which you need as a midfielder.

‘He’s a player Portsmouth fans knew. He’s been a good player in his League Two days at Luton coming through.

‘We hope at 24 now this is his time and he can go on and do well for us.

‘He’s a very good all-round player and you need that in midfield.’