Portsmouth boss discusses future of ex-Manchester United, Millwalll and Fulham midfielder year on from Luton Town arrival

And the Blues boss has challenged the midfielder to make the strides to force his way into his midfield equation.

Tunnicliffe is seemingly battling for a starting spot with Marlon Pack, Louis Thompson and Jay Mingi at present, with promising Harry Jewitt-White touted for a loan move and Joe Morrell sidelined.

The 29-year-old appears to be behind Thompson, Morrell and Pack in the overall pecking order and jostling for position with Mingi.

Cowley explained he will keep an eye on how that battle pans out over the season’s start when it comes to what lies ahead for the former Manchester United, Fulham and Millwall man.

He said: ‘For us, it’s for us to always have the open mind.

‘He will want to play and if he’s not playing Ryan loves football and will want to play.

‘He’s very determined and I wouldn’t want any players in our squad that were happy when they are not playing.

‘We’re obviously without Joe Morrell and Jay Mingi’s had a good pre-season.

‘We kind of have four with young Harry Jewitt-White, who we anticipate going out on loan at some point, fighting for those spots.’

Cowley believes Tunnicliffe has shown the talent he possesses since arriving from Luton last summer, but the Pompey boss also sees gains to be made in his game.

He added: ‘I think Ryan is a very talented player who has some really good attributes.

‘He has some power to run off the back of people.

‘He’s a good receiver and passer of the ball, but we want him to impact the top end of the pitch more.

‘I think he’s working hard to do that.

‘He’s a player that both ourselves and him are trying to get more out of.

‘His attitude has been good to pre-season.

‘Maybe he doesn’t find the aerobic work so easy, but he has this unbelievable anaerobic power.

‘We’re trying to work on his volume, but his high speed and high intensity is always top of the group.

‘We all know the talent he has and we’re working hard to bring that out on a consistent basis.’