Kenny Jackett outlines latest position on Ronan Curtis’ Portsmouth future amid Blackburn interest

The Blues boss made it clear he doesn’t see the Republic of Ireland international leaving Fratton Park this month, with Championship Blackburn the latest club to be linked with the winger.

Curtis has returned to his best after an indifferent period early on in the season and is now his side’s top scorer with 11 goals.

The 23-year-old is on a run of eight finishes from 12 games, as he’s played a key role in Pompey’s resurgent form.

Jackett stated there’s been no contact from any clubs over Curtis and they would not be welcoming any interest.

He said: ‘We haven’t had any enquiries or bids and long may that continue.

‘Similarly, if we were to sell our top scorer and try to replace him it would be very difficult.

‘There’s an opportunity for us at this stage of the season along with a number of clubs.

‘We have to look forward and try to get the best out of the group. Ronan is very much a part of that.

‘There hasn’t been any bids, wide-left players are few and far between and hard to pick up.

‘He’s played well for us and I understand there’s speculation, but we’ve had no offers or enquiries and for us to react with two weeks of the window left would be difficult.’

Jackett praised Curtis for the manner in which has overcome his early-season difficulties, after making a sizeable impact in his maiden Pompey campaign.

He felt the former Derry City man had delivered a definitive riposte to those who felt rivals had worked out how to deal with his threat.

Jackett added: ‘Ronan’s our top scorer and we want that to continue.

‘He goes in runs of goals but he’s had a good run now over quite a long period.

‘It’s getting on to months now that’s he produced and got back to what we consider to be his best.

‘He’s just needed to knuckle down and concentrate like all us. It’s what we’ve needed to do as a club and a group. He was no different.

‘He’s been needing to fight off when people say you do well one year but they work you out the next. That’s been his latest challenge. So far he’s done that.

‘Although he’s a wide player, he plays like half a centre-forward because he likes to get around the centre-forward and use his pace and physicality.

‘Then he has good shooting ability and has the one-touch finish between the posts when you cross from the right.

‘That’s not easy for natural wingers to do.’