Kenny Jackett forced to weigh up ending Portsmouth's Irish summer love affair

Yet Kenny Jackett now faces the prospect of following a contingency plan, with no indication of when football’s suspension can be considered for lifting.

Since Paul Cook’s took his side to Johnstown House Hotel, Dublin, in July 2016, the Emerald Isle has proven a popular summer training destination.

Although time constraints dictated the newly-appointed Jackett was unable to take his squad away in 2017, his own team has since been a regular across the Irish Sea.

A return to Fota Island in Cork had been pencilled in this summer, along with the possibility of a friendly during Pompey’s stay.

It’s a venue which previously staged the Blues in July 2018 – but those plans could now be ripped up.

Jackett said: ‘The conclusion to this campaign and when next season will start are two key questions – but we haven’t got any more information than you have.

‘While we are in constant touch and all the authorities doing their job, speaking to each other, all we can do is wait to hear.

‘We had been looking at early July and been in touch with hotels, with view to arranging a tour, even one or two pre-season games, but that is suspended now.

‘We’ll have to see whether it’s needed or not.

‘We did like Cork, there are very good facilities there. It has previously been quite an easy route from Southampton into Cork too.

‘However, we are now in a situation where we have to suspend that and wait to see what happens.’

Pompey have faced League of Ireland sides Sligo Rovers, Bohemians, Cork City and UCD since 2016.

The latter resulted in an 11-0 triumph in July 2019, consisting of a Brett Pitman hat-trick and seven different scorers.

Jackett added: ‘We may have arranged Irish friendlies, although it’s not always easy because they are bang in the middle of their season.

‘They could already have league games or sometimes Champions League qualification, so sometimes it may be better to come back on a Friday afternoon and you can find a better game around here.

‘Whenever our friendlies are finalised, we also try to play some of our local clubs.’

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