Out-of-contract Tom Naylor's Portsmouth situation addressed as potential suitors surely keeping watch

But Pompey's assistant boss insisted he wants the skipper to remain at Fratton Park beyond the end of the season.

Naylor's red-hot form continued as he scored his fifth goal in seven matches in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Peterborough.

The midfielder netted another sublime long-range effort to take his tally to six in 21 games.

Naylor's the lynchpin to Kenny Jackett's side and now added goals to his tough-tackling displays.

He's out of contract at the end of the season, after signing a three-year deal when he arrived on a free transfer from Burton in 2018.

Naylor's previously told The News he wants to extend his Fratton Park stay. With the implementation of a salary cap in League One, however, he'd have to take a significant pay cut to do so.

That could mean Championship clubs look to tempt him with a more lucrative offer, as he's played at that level before.

But Gallen is adamant he wants Naylor to stay at Pompey.

He told The News: 'Of course we want to keep Tom Naylor. I don't deal with contracts and don't know anything about that but he is playing out of his skin.

'You're going to have to ask the relevant people. The salary cap is difficult and he is undoubtedly playing his best football since he's been here.

'He has always played well, let's be honest, he's been very consistent and played well.

'He is a great captain for us and added goals to his game. His distribution and passing has improved.

‘He's a defensive midfielder by nature but is he? If he's adding goals like that and his distribution is improving.

'You'd have to speak to Tom. But the assistant manager wants him to stay.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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