Portsmouth boss discusses Bryn Morris' future after ex-Middlesbrough man omitted from squad at Fleetwood

The former Shrewsbury and Middlesbrough man was omitted from the Blues’ squad for the 1-0 victory over Fleetwood on Saturday.

He served as 19th man at Highbury Stadium, with Jackett holding discussions with the ex-England youth skipper after he conducted individual fitness work before kick-off.

Midfielder Morris started the opening five League One matches of the season alongside Tom Naylor.

However, he’s managed just 32 minutes of third-tier action since October 27, having been leapfrogged by Andy Cannon and Ben Close in the pecking order.

Pompey are keen to recruit an additional midfielder during this month's January transfer window to provide cover to engine-room duo Naylor and Cannon.

That would push Morris further out of favour.

And should the Blues bring in a new face in the middle of the park, Jackett could allow the 24-year-old to leave.

When asked about his match-day squad absence against Fleetwood, the Pompey boss said: ‘I just wanted to go with other players in James Bolton and Haji Mnoga (on the bench) if I needed a defensive full-back or an attacking full-back.

‘That was my choice and then went with one midfielder on the bench, which was Ben Close.

‘I spoke to Bryn about the work that he did before kick-off and he is a really good pro.

‘He works hard and has kept himself fit so I was just talking about preparation and running numbers – just discussing that.

‘He put a shift in before the start of the game.

‘We would have to get somebody in if someone was to go out. Whether it is Bryn or somebody else, I don't know.

‘We don't want to be leaving ourselves short necessarily in a busy time and a vital time.

‘If there are offers at the right level that obviously suit us then, yes, but we would always want to be bringing people in.’

Morris joined Pompey from Shrewsbury for an undisclosed fee in January 2019.

He’s made 28 appearances since, scoring one goal, but had more than a year on the treatment table with an abdomen injury.

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