Kenny Jackett: Portsmouth left-back selection wide open after Cameron Pring arrival

And he has challenged newcomer Cameron Pring and Lee Brown to fight it out to establish who deserves to be first choice.

The highly-regarded Pring arrived at Fratton Park on Tuesday on a season-long loan from Bristol City, fresh from signing a new three-year deal with the Championship club.

Brown himself extended his Pompey stay this summer and will head into the League One campaign as occupant of the left-back berth.

However, Jackett is adamant Pring has not arrived to perform back-up duties.

Jackett told The News: ‘I do think it’s a specialist position, we haven’t got another player in the squad that can play that side.

‘For us to now have two recognised and specialist left-backs does give us balance and some good competition as well.

‘The position is definitely wide open. Two players competing against each other is going to be important during the course of the season.

‘We will need both of them. For Cam, it’s good league experience after his loan at Walsall, this is his next step up.

‘While Lee has been a consistent player for us over the last couple of years.

‘Looking at the amount of games we have, in October there are eight matches, so we’re going to need everybody in the squad and a few youngsters as well.

‘The test of the squad is how good the players are coming in and how organised you are, with them knowing their jobs.

‘We do feel having a specialist left-back is really important and I’m pleased we are no longer going into the season with just one left-back considering the amount of games we’ve got.’

Pompey fans were given a first glimpse of Pring during Tuesday night’s 4-0 win over Gosport.

Appearing at half-time among 11 changes, he replaced Brown at left-back and was handed 45 minutes of match action on the day of his arrival.

The Blues are next in action on September 8, when Colchester visit in the EFL Trophy, an encounter which could see the newcomer handed his competitive debut.

Jackett added: ‘Cam’s got a bit of everything.

‘He is strong defensively, has a good attitude, and I do feel he has the power when coming forward.

‘Bristol City wanted to re-sign him and then loan him into League One, which is a progression from where he was last year at Walsall in League Two.

‘There is a call back option in January, which is standard practice. The idea is to be with us for the season – and we hope for him and us it will be a successful season.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.