Last left-back standing Joe Hancott handed Portsmouth chance

Joe Hancott will be given the chance to stake his Pompey left-back claim.
Neil Allen
By Neil Allen
Published 15th Jul 2020, 17:00 BST
Left-back Joe Hancott hasn't played for Pompey since October following a serious knee injury. Picture: Graham Hunt/ProSportsImagesLeft-back Joe Hancott hasn't played for Pompey since October following a serious knee injury. Picture: Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages
Left-back Joe Hancott hasn't played for Pompey since October following a serious knee injury. Picture: Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages

But firstly he must convince Kenny Jackett to hand him a permanent deal beyond the end of December.

The Isle of Wight youngster represents the only left-back on Pompey’s books at present, while fits into the prospective £2.5m salary cap.

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Brandon Haunstrup has rejected a new deal and is set to join Kilmarnock, while Lee Brown remains in negotiations with the Blues.

That leaves just Hancott, the 19-year-old feeling his way back to fitness following an ACL injury to his right knee.

The home-grown youngster has been sidelined since sustaining the problem during training in October.

At the time, he had made two Leasing.com Trophy appearances in 2019-20, most recently a 2-2 draw at Oxford United.

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Having progressed along the lengthy road of rehabilitation, Hancott is now closing in on being present for first-team training when it resumes.

Out of contract this summer, Pompey have handed him a six-month deal to prove he is over the injury and worthy of a longer-term arrangement.

With the departure of Haunstrup, the likelihood is Hancott will challenge for the role of deputy left-back.

In addition, being under the age of 21, his wage will not count towards the mooted £2.5m salary cap for League One.

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Similarly, under-21 players are not included during the calculation of the 22-man squad – another proposal.

Should Brown not opt to stay, it will leave the Blues without a senior left-back – and inevitably will prompt Jackett to recruit.

However, Steve Seddon is not expected to return to Fratton Park, following his successful loan spell from Birmingham.

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Related topics:Brandon HaunstrupPortsmouthBluesIsle of WightLee BrownKenny Jackett

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