Portsmouth already well ahead in scheduled 14-week North Stand lay-off

The Blues have brought forward planned summer work to capitalise on Fratton Park not currently in use following the suspension of football.

The club have announced 14 weeks are required to construct a new North Stand roof, while also replacing cladding and bolstering existing beams.

The project, costed at approaching £1m, could see the stand closed to supporters should the 2019-20 recommence during that period.

However, Pompey's chief executive insists the club are already two weeks into the schedule.

Catlin said: In business, you have to plan and look forward to the future.

‘We are just going into our third week of lockdown – and took the decision to do this a week and a half ago.

‘Materials have to be ordered and then shipped, planning needs to be with the construction company and aligned with the council, so it has taken a couple of weeks to get ourselves into this position.

‘So we are already into that 14-week period which we have been advised it will take.

‘It was always planned for this summer, there was always a tight window to get it done. However, with what appears to be a desire to finish this season off and start the next during an initial timeframe, we’ve taken the decision to start now.

‘Even then, you are hoping the last couple of weeks could be finishing off, such as taking down the scaffolding, so perhaps it could be open earlier.’