Kenny Jackett reveals latest on Portsmouth contract talks for Tom Naylor, Jack Whatmough and Co.

Jack Whatmough, left, and Tom Naylor. Pictures: Joe PeplerJack Whatmough, left, and Tom Naylor. Pictures: Joe Pepler
Jack Whatmough, left, and Tom Naylor. Pictures: Joe Pepler
Kenny Jackett believes it's too early for Pompey to open talks with players who are out of contract at the season’s end.

In total, the Blues have nine first-team members whose deals come to a conclusion on June 30.

They are Craig MacGillivray, Duncan Turnbull, Jack Whatmough, Haji Mnoga, Tom Naylor, Ben Close, Bryn Morris, Andy Cannon and Ryan Williams.

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All bar Turnbull have featured this campaign, while the club hold options for an additional 12 months with MacGillivray, Mnoga and Close.

Although chief executive Mark Catlin admitted some players have been sounded out about extending their stays, no official negotiations have begun.

And with three-quarters of the League One season remaining, Jackett believes Pompey must instead put all their current focus on their ambition of achieving promotion.

‘At the moment we are in a phase of concentrating on football,’ Jackett told The News.

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‘The transfer window has closed and we should be concentrating on games because we want to give ourselves a chance (of promotion) and put ourselves in the frame.

‘We want to show our own players that they can build confidence and have a good season.

‘The bigger picture of contracts is at the end of the season and, of course, we do always look at those things.

‘But this is a different season and these are different times. We will have to adjust, definitely.’

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Players whose deals are coming towards a conclusion face more uncertainty than they would have in previous years.

The implementation of the League One salary cap in the summer has now restricted player earnings to around £1,350 per week.

Meanwhile, spectators continue to be locked out of stadia during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, with Pompey losing circa £700,000 per month.

Jackett has sympathy for the players whose futures aren’t currently tied up beyond June.

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But he feels Naylor, Whatmough and Co. can dictate what happens down the line by performing well for Pompey.

Jackett added: ‘For the players out of contract, for footballers and football clubs during Covid, like a lot of industries, there is a lot of uncertainty.

‘They are unprecedented times and the future is hard to predict. Everyone understands that. We are not the only industry where there are many more questions than answers.

‘Players are somewhat in limbo but it all comes down to having a good season yourself. That's what is in your control.

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‘You can't affect the virus and what happens in the world over the winter but you can do well in your particular career and can be committed to your club. That's the only way you can be in control.

‘You never know how things are going to be affected such as whether there will still be a salary cap in place, whether they will change the numbers or, in the end, if one will be implemented in the Championship.

‘It is hard to tell but I'm sure the right decisions will be made. While it is uncertain, all of the players have to look after their own careers by playing well.’

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