Kenny Jackett rules out stay away player from Portsmouth's full play-off campaign

Kenny Jackett has conceded should the Blues qualify for the July 13 final at Wembley, he still doesn’t anticipate the unnamed member of his squad being available.

The player, whose identity the club have declined to reveal, has turned down returning to full training for personal reasons.

It is understood he is concerned about the impact coronavirus could have on his family.

Jackett insists he is comfortable with the player’s stance and does not believe in forcing somebody to feature in the Blues’ play-off programme.

Regardless, the manager expects the player won’t feature again this season.

Jackett told The News: ‘The player is out of the equation. It doesn’t look like he will feature for us in the play-offs at all.

‘Everybody has their individual situation and has to make their own decision. I wouldn’t want anybody to come in unless they are comfortable.

‘He is uncomfortable coming in and his personal situation is not quite right at present.

‘I certainly think for the foreseeable future and the play-offs, it does look like that will change.

‘I am comfortable with everybody’s individual situation. From my point of view, if somebody is not quite right to play then I wouldn’t want them to because it doesn’t work out, they usually don’t play well.

‘We have players anyway and are concentrating on those. I have been pleased with what they've delivered and been pleased with the training.

‘All of our focus is on this weekend.’

Pompey’s League One semi-final first leg against Oxford takes place on Friday (5.30pm).

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