Kenny Jackett: Non-league plans for Portsmouth new-boy Duncan Turnbull shelved

Kenny Jackett has revealed Pompey were forced to shelve loan plans for Duncan Turnbull following the suspension of football.
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The towering American keeper last month signed for the Blues until the summer of 2021, following a successful trial.

However, within 24 hours, football was postponed after the escalation of the coronavirus pandemic, with no date yet set for a return.

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Before that intervention, the Blues had decided to loan out the 21-year-old to aid his development, with the non-league scene to be the focus.

With Alex Bass and Craig MacGillivray fit, Pompey could have spared Turnbull during the final few months of the campaign.

However, as ever during testing times, such plans were ripped up.

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Jackett said: ‘Duncan has come in as number three keeper. We saw something in him in training, we thought it was worth keeping him and persevering to see how he develops.

during ACC Soccer action between University of Notre Dame vs. University of Virginia at Alumni Stadium on September 28, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. 
Photo credit: Mike Miller/Fighting Irish Mediaduring ACC Soccer action between University of Notre Dame vs. University of Virginia at Alumni Stadium on September 28, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. 
Photo credit: Mike Miller/Fighting Irish Media
during ACC Soccer action between University of Notre Dame vs. University of Virginia at Alumni Stadium on September 28, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Photo credit: Mike Miller/Fighting Irish Media

‘He has a bit of everything in terms of his keeping, is terrific physically, and, at 6ft 7in, is not immobile either. His outstanding attribute is obviously his size.

‘The ideal situation for Duncan would have been to go out and play men’s football before the end of the season, that’s what we were looking to do and perhaps play locally – but that didn’t happen.

‘Similarly, it will be an interesting year for him next season to see how he develops.

‘We didn’t have a club lined up. However, while it can be hard sometimes to get young goalkeepers out, he is so physically imposing and big I think people would have taken him.’

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