Kenny Jackett details what's next for Portsmouth youngster after his eye-catching Cheltenham outing

But the striker’s performances in the Papa John’s Trophy this season have been catching the eye of Kenny Jackett.

Stanley penned third-year scholarship terms with his boyhood club in the summer, having plundered 26 goals for the academy last campaign.

Earlier this term, he was loaned to Bognor before being called back to cover injuries at Fratton Park.

Stanley made his first-team debut against West Ham under-21s last month before he was again handed an outing at Cheltenham on Tueday.

And the former Mayfield School pupil took his opportunity, with his clever header assisting Jordy Hiwula’s first goal in the 3-0 win at Whaddon Road.

Regular senior minutes will undoubtedly enhance Stanley’s development as he seeks to establish himself at Fratton Park.

As things stand, Jackett admitted the forward won’t be heading back out on loan just yet.

But with Bognor’s Isthmian League premier division campaign potentially restarting after the latest government announcement, Pompey will assess Stanley’s situation closer to Christmas.

Blues boss Jackett said: ‘He's a bright player, Alf, and he needs to keep working physically but he has time on his side to do that.

‘As he gets stronger and as he gets older, his quality will show. He has a very good attitude, a high work-rate and it'll be very good for him to play in these games with our players.

‘He's getting stronger all the time and he showed some good touches in the second half once the game slowed down. The ball came into him and he's a good footballer.

‘I'm not sure there was a header at goal on for him but he has got good awareness and he did in that situation for the goal.

‘He's got good awareness around him and in the box. It was an intelligent header, definitely.

‘Not right now (Stanley will go back out on loan) but heading towards the Christmas period, there is a possibility.’