Kenny Jackett reveals stance on futures of Portsmouth out-of-contract starlets

Kenny Jackett has revealed the Blues will take into account the restrictive footballing environment which has hampered the club’s current third-year scholars.

Alfie Stanley, Harry Kavanagh, Eoin Teggart and Gerard Storey have been denied non-league loan opportunities this season.

It has deprived the well-regarded quartet ofthe opportunity to develop through regular first-team football, irrespective of the level.

Teggart and Storey managed to secure loan deals in their native Northern Ireland after the turn of the year.

Nonetheless, with the foursome’s deals up for renewal in the summer, Jackett insists Pompey will be sympathetic towards their hampered progress.

He told The News: ‘We will err on the side of caution and will, where necessarily, take more time.

‘The pandemic is nation-wide, so it’s nobody’s fault, it’s not the young players’ fault. For the club we will err on the side of caution and take all the time necessary before we make decisions.

‘Under-18 football has kept going, but for others there’s nowhere for them to go out to on loan. In non-league, football certainly won’t be starting before March, and I don’t know about it after then.

‘‘If you are not actually playing you can instead work being as fit and strong as you can get.

‘Sometimes without the games, it helps you to get in tip-top condition in a period of your life when you are developing anyway, which is good.

‘They have to use both the facilities and staff to make sure they use the time positively when you’re not playing football positively.

‘I think it will be difficult for their development, but it’s the same for everyone. They just have to come out of it being the best they can physically.

‘We will definitely err on the side of caution because the opportunities this year haven’t been there. Wherever has been necessary, we will take more time.’

Stanley, Kavanagh, Teggart and Storey have all featured for Pompey’s first-team this season in the Papa John’s Trophy.

Kavanagh has also turned out for Gosport, while Stanley had a spell at Bognor.

Meanwhile, Teggart (Cliftonville) and Storey (Portadown) moved on loan to the NIFL Premiership in January.

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