Kilmarnock eyeing a move for Portsmouth left-back Brandon Haunstrup - move ahead of Bristol Rovers in chase

The News understands the left-back is a target for the Scottish Premiership side this summer.

Haunstrup is set to be offered a new contract at Fratton Park following the release of Pompey’s retained list, but looks likely to turn it down.

The Waterlooville lad wants regular first-team football, after two frustrating seasons at the Blues.

Haunstrup has made 57 appearances for his boyhood club, since being handed his debut against Derby in September 2015.

This campaign, the versatile defender featured 19 times in total – in both left-back and right-back roles.

However, he was below Lee Brown and then Steve Seddon following his arrival on loan from Birmingham in January in the pecking order.

The 23-year-old was subsequently overlooked for Pompey’s League One play-off against Oxford United and failed to make the match-day squad for either game.

What’s more, he was included in just two of the Blues’ final 15 squads this term and did not make an appearance after January 21.

The Blues have been in discussions with Haunstrup over a new deal, after announcing their retained list for the 2020-21 season.

But it appears he will leave the club’s he’s been at since the age of six, with Kilmarnock leading the race for his signature.

Bristol Rovers are also admirers, having been interested in the defender during the January transfer window.

Yet Killie, who finished eighth in the Scottish Premiership last term, are in pole position for Haunstrup’s signature.

The Rugby Park side have already signed Aaron McGowan and Mitch Pinnock from Hamilton Academical and AFC Wimbledon respectively this summer.

Former Pompey striker Nicke Kabamba also plays for Kilmarnock.